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Mission Statement
Our mission is to create an environment that awakens every single student
to the world around us, creating positive relationships and feeling healthy.
We strive to help students accomplish outdoor challenges and exceed their goals
in a caring and supportive environment. As educators, we live for what we do.
Deep social relationships are just as important to us as the bond with mother nature.
If you want your child to grow more independent, compassionate, assertive and healthy,
send us a message.
Each child is at the centre of what we do
Nature-focused in how we achieve deeper learnings
Building meaningful social relationships
Holistic health at the forefront of our big Why?
Our People
Elena Mas Taylor
Founder and educator
I knew since I was 6 that I wanted to be a teacher. Growing up in a classic Kiwi rural school meant running around the village barefoot with friends, no adults in sight and coming home for dinner. Fast-forward a few years, I'd completed my teaching degree in Barcelona and was hungry to explore the world. I did an Erasmus programme in Finland and volunteered teaching street children in New Delhi. I became interested in meditation and the ways different cultures brought up their children. I begun bringing this into my teaching in primary schools: seeing each child as a full being, treating them with warmth, interest and uplifting their innate mana.
After a few years at international schools in Myanmar (Burma) I wanted to come back to NZ. I can be pretty picky with which primary school I work at, and found one in Wellington that was forward-thinking and open to exploring diverse ways of educating. I've spent the last couple of years in Marlborough working for Outward Bound, which has brought a lot of growth and know-how in the outdoors. It's strengthened my belief in the necessity of bringing the outdoors into our lives.
Opening up a Nature School in Nelson region has been a dream for over a decade, very close to my heart. Although initially it was simply a pedagogical approach that... well, made a lot of sense, it has now become backed by research, hard skills and aroha. At the age of 31, it's time for me to fully commit to building a healthier, happier society in the way that I know how.
Alessia Agrela
Key educator
Kia ora e te whānau, my name is Alessia Agrela.
I am excited to join the lovely Elena and get to know you through the Nelson Nature school programme. I was born in South Africa and spent a couple of years living abroad before moving to sunny Nelson over 8 years ago. I am a Mum of two enthusiastic boys and my philosophy as a parent has always been to get them outside and connect with te taiao (the natural environment)!
I have an undergraduate diploma in psychology and recently completed my graduate diploma in ECE. My educational journey began at a Montessori-based centre, but whilst on my final practicum I learnt a great deal about Nature-Based education.
I believe we are all interconnected beings, extending this connection deep into the roots of Papatūānuku which sustains our mental, physical and spiritual bodies. To cultivate a sense of responsibility in our mokopuna towards their environment, they require opportunities to contribute, demonstrate generosity, and express care and compassion towards those/things around them. I encourage this through modelling aroha, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga and mana.
“Ko au te taiao, ko te taiao ko au. Iam the environment and the environment is me.”
The rest of the team will remain private for the time being,
but you are welcome to reach out and meet us.
There are volunteers, relieving staff, parents and experts in their field (workshop facilitators) who may be joining us as the year goes on.
Want to work with us?
We are open to hearing from you and
hearing your proposal / expression of interest
Please reach out if you would like to be a part of the team, whether as an educator, operational support, active parent helper, volunteer.... We'd LOVE to catch up about it.
Everyone working with the children will need a full police check.
Educational and outdoors experience and first aid knowledge is highly valued.