Halfmoon Bay School/ Te Kura o Rakiura is a Greengold EnviroSchool

Living on Rakiura/ Stewart Island our students and their whānau are passionate about looking after our unique island environment.  EnviroSchools is a HUGE part of our kura and is integrated right across the curriculum.  

Rat trapping with SIRCET ☠

Since 2017 the tamariki have been working with the Stewart Island Rakiura Community Environment Trust (SIRCET) to trap rats around the kura, along the Fuchsia Walk and the around the Stewart Island Community Centre.  Each Friday students and Rosie from SIRCET check and rebait the 34 traps and tally up the dead rats.  To date, we have caught over 500 rats! 

Penguin Project 🐧

The students in Hananui class have teamed up with the New Zealand Penguin Initiative to monitor the numbers of little blue penguins/kororā in the Ackers Point area.  Each fortnight students head out to change the SD cards and batteries in the four game cameras along the track.  Once back at school the students then input the data into the Google spreadsheets, back up the footage and recharge the batteries ready for the next round of checks.

Richard Seed one of the initiators of the project says "We've possibly been lured into a false sense of security here because the kids have just been so good.  Their data entry has been flawless - they're in tune with their environment."

Action Projects 🌏

Each year since 2020 students in Years 5-8 in conjunction with Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) complete an environmental action project.  Tessa's undaria removal project in conjunction with Environment Southland earned her and mum Liz a trip to the Poor Knights Marine Reserve.  So far with help from her class, Tess has instigated the removal of around 300kg of undaria from Ulva Island's Post Office Cove.  

If you're visiting Rakiura check out the bright blue dolphin drain plaques around the Oban township reminding you that only rain goes down the drain.  Oranising and installing the plaques was the work of Year 6 students, Betty and Ava.  

Fionn has been holding the Ministry for Primary Industries accountable for outdated and missing fishing rule signage.  Recently he accompanied MPI worker Jamie to Lee Bay to finally get proper signage installed at the public boat ramp there.

If you're a smoker you'll find special butt bins on the wharf at Halfmoon Bay.  Shannan, Sam and Kate worked with South Port to get these oversized ashtrays installed after being appalled at the number of cigarette butts they found around the wharf area.

Bush School 🌳🕷🪶🔎

Stewart Island Ambassadors 🙋🙋‍♂️

Our Year 6-8 students work as Stewart Island Ambassadors with visiting Mainland schools.  This work involves them guiding the visiting school groups around Ulva Island, running sessions about the penguin project or assisting classes with MM2 (Marine Metre Squared) at one of the local beaches.  

"The ambassadors from this school were very knowledgeable kaitiaki who have a deep respect for this unique environment.  The beyond-the-gate experiences these students engage in, allow them to develop a strong, identity with their whenua where they can be curious critical thinkers... The Ambassadors of Halfmoon Bay School are a huge asset for this environment and we thank them for sharing their knowledge."  Heidi W, a teacher at Woodlands Full Primary

"We would like to thank all the Halfmoon Bay Ambassadors for their support and guidance and learning about the awesome blue penguin project you are all involved in on Rakiura.  Riverton Primary have been let into the world of real life studying.  We really find it amazing how you look after your environment and believe in what you're all doing."  Riverton Primary School Year 6 pupils