Wave-side and Maunga Classroom Adventures

This year the A Rocha / Karioi led Manaaki Ao educators at Raglan Area School are excited to work with Te Rōpū Aroha ki Te Reo (Rumaki Reo) running weekly 2.5 hours outdoor classroom sessions to fifteen energetic Year 6-8 students in the immersion Māori program. Val Lubrick, an educator with the Karioi Project shares a story about the Rōpū students:

For many people a trip to the ocean involves surf, a suntan, or maybe a picnic on the sand. The students of Te Rōpū Aroha ki Te Reo however had a different idea this week. As part of their weekly program with the Karioi Project, the Rōpū students immerse themselves in nature, using the outdoor classroom to learn about the interrelationship of all living and non-living things. The values of kaitiakitanga are at the forefront of the program while students discover the intricacies of nature and how we can protect and enhance our environment. This past week the tamariki ventured to Whale Bay to gaze thoughtfully in tide pools, explore rocky outcrops, and have personal close contact with crabs. The surf was wild and thundering in the background while the students counted species at various tidal levels and spent time investigating the area. Exploration and immersion are the themes of the weekly sessions as the students enjoy and learn about the environment and our interconnectedness.

Another fifteen students from Year 11 at Raglan Area School are working on their NCEA-accredited predator control short course. Last week they abandoned their desks and classroom walls to brave wild west coast weather for a 3-day intensive course. Through hands-on learning, book-work, and walks in the elements, the team unravelled the story of pests in New Zealand and explored the ways in which we, each of us, can have a positive impact on biodiversity. The students mastered the intricacies of setting and deploying traps while exploring the foothills of Karioi. They considered the pros and cons of various trapping methods, practised trapping skills and earned 14 NCEA credits. Through their dedication and hard work, the students developed confidence, teamwork, and an enhanced appreciation for the challenges faced by NZ wildlife due to invasive pest species. Many pests were caught in both the forest and urban environments, including mice, rats, and hedgehogs. With each individual removed from nature, the students secured a better chance of survival for native wildlife to move us toward a thriving ecosystem.

Year 11 students on their NCEA-accredited Predator Control 3-day intensive course