Pacific Nations School

📚🌱 Learning Through Book Making: Discovering the World of Plants

At the Early Learning Centre and Pacific Nations School, our young learners are exploring the fascinating world of plants through the creative process of book making.

As part of their inquiry-based learning, children observe, investigate, draw, write, and document their discoveries about plants in their own handmade books. From learning what plants need to grow to understanding the different parts of a plant and their importance in our environment, students are developing scientific thinking while strengthening literacy and creativity.

Book making allows children to become authors, illustrators, and young scientists, capturing their learning journey in a meaningful and engaging way. Through this process, they build observation skills, vocabulary, communication skills, and a deeper connection to nature.

🌿 Through learning, creating, and reflecting, our students are growing into curious thinkers, confident communicators, and environmental stewards.

“When children create books about plants, they are not only learning science—they are telling the story of life, growth, and their connection to the natural world.”

Importance of Fruit Sharing Day for Children at Early Learning and Pacific Nations School

Fruit Sharing Day is a valuable learning experience that supports the holistic development of children. It encourages healthy eating habits from an early age and helps children understand the importance of making nutritious food choices for a healthy body and mind.

For our Early Learning Centre and Pacific Nations School students, Fruit Sharing Day promotes the values of sharing, kindness, respect, and community. As children bring and share fruits with their classmates, they learn important social skills such as taking turns, cooperation, gratitude, and caring for others.

The activity also provides opportunities for hands-on learning. Children can explore different colours, shapes, textures, smells, and tastes of fruits, helping to develop their language, observation, and sensory skills. It can also be linked to lessons in science, health, mathematics, culture, and environmental education.

At Pacific Nations School, Fruit Sharing Day reflects our commitment to nurturing healthy, compassionate, and globally minded learners. It celebrates the rich diversity of fruits found across Fiji and the Pacific while encouraging students to appreciate local produce, sustainable living, and the importance of food security.

Learning Outcomes:

* Develop healthy eating habits and nutritional awareness.
* Practice sharing, caring, and cooperation.
* Build social and communication skills.
* Explore sensory learning through taste, touch, smell, and observation.
* Learn about local fruits, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
* Strengthen cultural appreciation and community connections.
* Promote student well-being and positive relationships.

School Message:
“Fruit Sharing Day reminds us that healthy food brings us together. By sharing fruit, we share friendship, kindness, and a commitment to caring for ourselves, each other, and our environment.” 🍎🍌🥭🍍🍊🌿

Pacific Nations School Theme:
“Growing Healthy Learners, Building Caring Communities.” 🌱🍇🤝

Topic of Enquiry: Preparing the Soil for Planting – The Farm-to-Table Journey

This inquiry explores how healthy soil is the foundation of food production and how the food we eat begins long before it reaches our plates. Students learn the importance of preparing soil, planting crops, caring for the environment, and understanding the journey from farm to table.

Why is this Topic Important?

1. Understanding Where Food Comes From

Many children know how to buy food but not how it is grown. Through preparing soil and planting crops, students gain a deeper appreciation of farmers, food production, and the work involved in feeding communities.

2. Building Food Security Awareness

As Fiji and the Pacific face challenges from climate change and increasing food costs, students learn the importance of growing local food and becoming resilient communities that can feed themselves sustainably.

3. Developing Environmental Stewardship

Healthy soil supports healthy plants, clean water, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Students learn how composting, mulching, and organic gardening help protect the environment.

4. Promoting Healthy Living

The farm-to-table concept encourages children to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and understand the connection between healthy soil, healthy food, and healthy people.

5. Supporting the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent

The inquiry develops future Pacific leaders who understand sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, food sovereignty, climate adaptation, and community resilience.

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Key Inquiry Questions

Early Learning (Ages 3–5)

* What is soil?
* What do plants need to grow?
* Where does our food come from?
* Why should we care for plants?

Primary School

* What makes soil healthy?
* How do we prepare soil for planting?
* How do plants become food?
* How can gardens help our families and communities?

Secondary School

* How does soil health affect food production?
* What are sustainable farming practices?
* How does climate change affect agriculture in Fiji?
* How can farm-to-table systems improve food security and environmental sustainability?

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Learning Activities

🌱 Testing and observing different soil types.

🌱 Creating compost from food scraps and garden waste.

🌱 Preparing garden beds and planting vegetables.

🌱 Maintaining a school farm or garden.

🌱 Harvesting crops and preparing simple healthy meals.

🌱 Investigating traditional Fijian and Pacific farming practices.

🌱 Recording plant growth through science journals.

🌱 Exploring local food systems and visiting farms.

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Skills Developed

* Scientific inquiry
* Observation and research
* Critical thinking
* Teamwork and collaboration
* Environmental responsibility
* Food literacy
* Leadership and problem-solving

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Pacific Nations School Inquiry Statement

“Healthy soil grows healthy plants, healthy food, healthy communities, and a healthy Pacific. Through understanding the journey from farm to table, students become environmental stewards, informed consumers, and future leaders committed to sustainability and food security.”

This inquiry aligns strongly with Botanical Buddies, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2, 3, 12, 13, and 15), and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, particularly in the areas of climate resilience, environmental sustainability, food security, and community well-being. 🌱🌏🥬🍅🍠🌺

📖✨ Journal Making in Middle School

Journal making is an important learning tool that encourages students to reflect, think critically, and express their ideas creatively. Through keeping a journal, students document their learning journey, record observations, set goals, and reflect on their experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

Journaling strengthens writing, communication, and organizational skills while promoting self-awareness, creativity, and personal growth. It also helps students connect classroom learning to real-world experiences, making learning more meaningful and memorable.

At Pacific Nations School, journal making empowers students to become reflective learners, confident communicators, and lifelong thinkers who can track their progress and celebrate their growth.

“A journal is more than a book—it is a record of learning, discovery, and personal growth.” 📚🌱✨

📖🌿✍️

🚦Healthy Creek or Unhealthy Creek? Learning Through Play!

One of the highlights of the Botanical Buddy Program was an exciting Traffic Light Game, designed to bring environmental science right to our students’ fingertips.

Using a simple red, yellow, and green traffic light system, students worked together to identify the signs of a healthy creek and an unhealthy creek. Through observation, discussion, and hands-on learning, they discovered what clean water, healthy habitats, and thriving wildlife look like, as well as the impacts of pollution, erosion, and habitat destruction.

Students also learned about macro-invertebrates, small freshwater animals without backbones, such as aquatic insects, larvae, snails, and freshwater shrimp. These tiny creatures are important indicators of water quality because they can tell us whether a creek is healthy or polluted.

By searching for and identifying different macroinvertebrates, students became “stream scientists” for the day, learning how these fascinating creatures help us monitor the health of our waterways.

The activity transformed environmental science into a fun, interactive experience, helping students understand that healthy streams support healthy ecosystems, healthy communities, and a healthy future.

🌱 Learning through play.
💧 Discovering life in our waterways.
🔬 Becoming young environmental scientists.
🌏 Protecting Fiji’s freshwater ecosystems.



Teacher’s Note: The traffic light game made complex environmental concepts easy for children to understand, allowing them to see, touch, discuss, and experience what makes a creek healthy for both wildlife and people. 🌿💧🐞

Creating Healthy Streams, One Stone at a Time!

As part of the Botanical Buddy Program, our students participated in stream restoration by carefully placing stones in the creek.

Why place stones in a stream?

The stones create small ripples and gentle turbulence in the water, helping to increase oxygen levels that are essential for fish, freshwater organisms, and other aquatic life. The stones also help slow the flow of water, reduce erosion along stream banks, and improve the overall health of the creek.

Most importantly, the stones create homes and shelter for aquatic insects and other small freshwater creatures. These insects play a vital role in the ecosystem by helping to break down organic matter and serving as food for fish and other wildlife. A healthy insect population is often a sign of a healthy stream.

Through this hands-on activity, students learned that even small actions can have a positive impact on the environment. By restoring the creek, they helped create a healthier habitat for wildlife while gaining valuable knowledge about freshwater conservation.

🌱 Restoring habitats.
💧 Improving water quality.
🐞 Creating homes for aquatic insects.
🌏 Caring for Fiji’s natural environment.

Botanical Buddy Program – Learning About Native Plants and Fiji’s Environment

The Early Learning Centre and Pacific Nations School, in partnership with Wetlands Pasifika, proudly participated in the Botanical Buddy Program as part of World Environment Day celebrations.

Students enjoyed an exciting day of environmental learning, exploring the importance of Fiji’s freshwater ecosystems, wetlands, forests, and biodiversity through hands-on activities and presentations from environmental experts and special guests.

Wetlands Pasifika scientist Bindiya, together with her friend from the Ministry of Forestry, Mr. Tadeo, taught students why native plants are important and how they help protect our rivers, streams, wetlands, and reef systems. Students learned that native trees help prevent soil erosion, improve water quality, provide habitats for wildlife, and strengthen the connection between our land and ocean environments.

We were also honoured to welcome our friends from NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, who shared valuable knowledge about Fiji’s unique native species and the importance of protecting our natural heritage. Students had the opportunity to learn from an archaeologist from the Fiji Museum, who spoke about Fiji’s rich cultural history and the connection between people, land, and the environment.

Adding to the excitement of the day was the presence of the reigning Miss Pacific Islands 2025, who encouraged students to become responsible environmental stewards and future leaders in conservation.

The Botanical Buddy Program provided a meaningful learning experience that promoted environmental awareness, teamwork, leadership, and a deeper appreciation for Fiji’s natural and cultural heritage. Through planting native trees and learning from experts, students were inspired to play an active role in protecting and restoring Fiji’s environment for future generations.

Vinaka Vakalevu to Wetlands Pasifika, NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, the Fiji Museum, the Ministry of Forestry, Miss Pacific Islands 2025, and all our partners for making this educational experience memorable and inspiring for our students.