ROTORUA’S Redwoods Treewalk helped Aria students learn more about these behemoths of the tree world. Photo supplied
ROCK climbing, sand sculptures, bivouac making, high ropes and a marae visit: Piopio and Aria students are getting out of the classroom to learn and have fun.
Year 9 and 10 college students recently went to Mōkau, principal Rakesh Govind said.
The intention was to back up classwork on the theme of our moana.
The estuary was their destination for that part of the trip.
“What do the oceans provide for the local people? For us? Things like food, recreation, fishing opportunities.”
At the Mōkau museum they took part in an “academic scavenger hunt” with an activity sheet, which Rakesh said was “well received.”
The trip was intended to connect their learning and their own lives.
“We’re doing the history, in te ao Māori, the historical significance of the Mōkau area to this region.
“Our students are finding more and more information about what their tūpuna had experienced, growing up in this area as well. Getting them to experience that was really good.”
Fifteen or 20 college students would fly to Fiji later this year, Rakesh said.
“It is an opportunity for our students to experience another culture, in another part of the world.
“Fiji is a place that has a very unique culture. The tour is going to include visits to remote schools.
“They’re going to travel up through a river valley to a remote part of the Fijian islands.”
Rakesh said the school visit was partly so Piopio could donate useful academic resources, such as geography books, and build connections.
Rotorua was the destination for Aria School’s senior students’ camp earlier this month.
Aria teacher aide Nicole Hurley said forestry institute Scion was a huge hit and a new destination.
“We’ve never done it before and the kids just absolutely loved it. We’ve got 19 budding scientists in the making.”
Nicole said the students loved challenging themselves on the giant swing and high ropes at Tui Ridge.
“Kids push themselves out of their comfort zones. They look at something and think ‘absolutely not, there’s no way I can do that. That’s too high, that’s too scary.’ Just to see them overcome those fears and surprise themselves, it’s amazing.”
Nicole said the school’s board had subsidised the children’s camp fees to make it affordable for all families, which was important to the Aria School community.
