Helensville Primary School, with the support of Rodney Beekeepers Club, have implemented a School Bee Club. The club’s programme is aimed at educating a group of children who are interested in learning all things beekeeping. It covers the beekeeping calendar year including good Beehive management. 
Beehives were moved onto the school grounds in time for World Bee Day, which is celebrated on the 20th of May every year. The Bee Club students got to see inside the beehives and to taste locally-produced honey which was a real buzz! One local honey they tried has recently won an award at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards.
The School Bee Cub started last September. It is great to see the kids eager to start their theory lesson or in their bee-suits heading to the beehives for hands-on experience. The Bee Club meet every two weeks so the young beekeepers become familiar with the various changes that occur in the hives as each season progresses. Lessons are both fun and practical, and the kids are learning so much. It is really amazing to be educating the next generation of Beekeepers.
The Bee Club programme at Helensville Primary School has received tremendous support both locally and from the wider community in building the apiary, supplying hive ware and some bee-suits. The School Bee club is, however, still looking for sponsorship for 7 more beekeeping suits and 7 pairs of beekeeping gloves. If anyone would like to support the School Bee programme– either through sponsorship or a donation – please contact Rodney Beekeepers Club committee member Vicki Allen 0224274711 or the Helensville Primary School office on 094208005.
Many thanks.
