Greenstone design koru
design for the future
   ::  new beginnings, growth and harmony
 
 
NEWS & EVENTS- check back often as we update this page

Greenstone Design are active within the community, organising tree planting events, providing guest speakers at environmental product launch functions, public speaking to business leaders and school groups, skills training for at-risk young adults . We gain more when we give more.

The Year

 

June 2008: 9-13th National School Grounds Week - make the most of your outdoor space and celebrate learning outdoors. Grab your share of the funding, with school grounds high on all political agendas, they are finally being valued as they should be once more.

October 12th Time to end cotton wool culture and get young people out of the classroom
More children and young people will be able to go on educational school trips thanks to new measures slashing red tape and giving teachers more support, Children’s Secretary Ed Balls and Children’s Minister Kevin Brennan said today.

October 14th Learning outside the classroom – how far should you go?
Ofsted’s October 2008 report evaluates the importance of learning outside the classroom and demonstrates that high quality learning outside the classroom is a significant factor in raising standards and improving personal development.

***November 12th - Book Now for ***

INSET day training for KS1-2 teachers interested in environmental education, Learning Outside The Classroom, and grounds design to support LOTC . In conjunction with Forestry Commission.. LOCATION Alice Holt Forest, Bucks Horn Oak, Surrey, Forestry Commission classroom. Bookings Phone Helen Wallace: 01420 23 666

November - December 2008 - National Tree planting Week - 26 November to 7 December. This is the best time of the year to plant new trees and large shrubs.

 

MARCH 2007

March 1st 2007: Seminar at Red lion Hotel, Basingstoke for all those interested in sustainable landscape design. If interested in participating or presenting, please contact me, Gayle Souter-Brown t: 01420 520 960

March 2nd 2007: INSET day training for KS1-2 teachers interested in environmental education, Learning Outside The Classroom, and grounds design to support LOTC . In conjunction with Forestry Commission and First Partnership. LOCATION Alice Holt Forest, Bucks Horn Oak, Surrey, Forestry Commission classroom. Bookings through First Partnership, Linda Barnes t: 01252 852 471

March 22nd 2007: INSET day planning meeting at Woolton Hill School, Newbury, Hampshire. If interested in participating or presenting, please contact me, Gayle Souter-Brown t: 01420 520 960

APRIL 2007

24th April: Speaking at business Seminar, Tadley Chamber of Commerce, Bishopswood Golf Course. Tadley, Hants. Using design to enhance corporate image. Book through www.basingstokenetworking.co.uk

MAY 2007

1st May: Speaking at business Seminar, Basingstoke Networking, Red Lion Hotel, Basingstoke, Hants. Using design to enhance corporate image. Book through www.basingstokenetworking.co.uk

24th May: St Nicolas Infant School, Guildford, Surrey, outdoor classroom presentation

JULY 2007

2ND July: INSET day LOTC training. "Grounds design and how to use them" for KS1 & 2 Surrey, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire schools in conjunction with First Partnership. Venue: Woolton Hill School, Newbury. Cost £80. Date TBC. Bookings through First Partnership, Linda Barnes t: 01252 852 471

NOVEMBER 2007

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November 22nd-3rd December 2007:
National Tree Week is the Tree Council's festival to mark the start of the tree planting season, and a nationwide celebration of trees and woods. National Tree Planting Year 1973 (with its slogan of "Plant a Tree in 73") led to the founding of The Tree Council to bring together organisations working for trees. It ran the first National Tree Week in 1975. Now, up to a million trees are planted each year as a result of this winter festival


MARCH 2008

March 18th : INSET day training for KS1-2 teachers interested in environmental education, Learning Outside The Classroom, and grounds design to support LOTC . Sessions on Setting Up & using Your School grounds, taking the classroom outdoors,Health & Safety & Playground Design. In conjunction with Forestry Commission and First Partnership. LOCATION Alice Holt Forest, Bucks Horn Oak, Surrey, Forestry Commission classroom. Bookings through First Partnership, Linda Barnes t: 01252 852 471

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APRIL2008

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April 7th: Growing Schools Growing Schools Conference 08 Birmingham

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JUNE 2008

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June 2nd : Andover College INSET Day Grounds Design to support the new Land Based Diploma, in conjunction with Sparsholt College, First Partnership and the Countryside Service. Topics included: The productive and working environments Central to this theme are the components and finite resources of our natural environment, the influences upon them, how they influence us and how these resources are used.
Water is a finite resource that will become increasingly precious. Using water butts is a good way to show how much water is used on various plant types. As a finite resource butt levels can be directly measured, and plant growth rates can be compared.
Plants and animals The theme will also consider the care of plants and the care and welfare of animals, and show how their interdependency is manifest in wildlife, recreational and commercial resources.
Simple activities like weeding and pest control in a garden provide opportunities for students to understand the concept of interdependence and potential economic impacts. Field trips will likely still be required, depending on size of school grounds available for livestock.
Theme C Developing the sustainable environment This theme will explore the impact of people and businesses on our environment, the importance of the sustainable use of our finite resources and how sustainable practices can be implemented.
Sustainability must be at the centre of every school grounds' design. With best practice local examples students will see and live sustainability and thus better incorporate it into their daily lives. For bookings please contact Jane Sheriden at
First Partnership on t: 01252 852 471


March 29th 2009 Click here to see how you can be involved in the great switch off Earth Hour 8pm

Further INSET days and training workshops are available, on request. To enquire about a course for your school or organisation, or make a booking for a training day or public speaking event, please click on the link to contact us, or phone Gayle on 01420 520 960

 

Special Needs Schools need help! Events aimed at this group will benefit anyone in education and environmental design. Topics can include sensory garden design - using planting, surfacing, appropriate play structures and interactive features such as water, sound and light (sensory gardens can be designed as environmental study gardens, to suit even modest budgets and tiny spaces) the importance of Sensory Integration and the Mental Health Benefits from Going Green. Other topics by request. Contact us for more details.

 

  (c) 2007 Greenstone Design - 3 The Glade, Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham, Surrey GU104LU - T 01420 520 960 M 07813 512 981