Exploring Dunedin
A unique feature of Islington is our Rōpū Tuakana group.
Each Thursday afternoon, our 4-year-olds head out on special excursions to explore and connect with our local community. These experiences are a meaningful part of our local curriculum, shaped by the people, places, stories, and environments that are important to us. Through these outings, tamariki build a sense of belonging as they learn about their surroundings, engage with local knowledge, and make real-world connections that bring their learning to life.
Scroll down to see some of our past adventures.
Rōpū Tuakana love exploring our local spaces, including Chingford Park, Woodhaugh Gardens, and the Botanical Gardens. Through bush walks, tree hugging, scavenger hunts, and observing leaves, bugs, and other small creatures, tamariki are immersed in the natural world. They challenge their bodies on both nature’s playground and built playgrounds, while growing curiosity, confidence, and a strong connection to their environment.
local parks and gardens
Tūhura Otago Museum
Rōpū Tuakana are always excited to visit Tūhura Otago Museum. Before we leave to catch the bus, we plan what we would like to visit. Sometimes we head straight to Animal Attic or the dinosaur displays in the Natural Science galleries. Other times, we explore New Zealand culture in the Southern Land, Southern People gallery, where we learn about the different ways people have lived in Aotearoa. We especially enjoy looking at the boats, and when we are feeling brave, we venture into the Mummy displays within the World Cultures galleries. We take our time, moving at the children’s pace, investigating and asking lots of questions along the way.
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum is one of our favourite places to visit. We love exploring all the vehicles, especially the Tiger Tea Bus and the police car. Sometimes we even get to visit the Dunedin Railway Station, as it is right next door. There are so many fun and engaging things to see and do at Toitū.
Dunedin Libraries
We enjoy visiting the Dunedin Public Library and the South Dunedin Library. During our visits, we choose books for all tamariki to enjoy at Islington. We select a mix of picture books and non-fiction books that support our current interests, helping us learn more about topics we are exploring at Islington at the time.
