Hamilton Girls' High School partnered with the Waikato Regional Council as part of the Secondary School Employer Partnerships program, culminating in visits at the end of Term 1 on the 28th of March, and the 5th and 10th of April.

The visits took place at Wellington Street Beach in Hamilton East, where we were blessed with excellent weather, and featured the enthusiastic participation of students alongside the dedicated WRC teams. During these visits, students engaged in water quality testing and deepened their understanding of the environmental factors contributing to water pollution and its impact on water quality. Through hands-on activities, they identified sources of pollutants such as fertilisers, animal waste, and runoff from livestock. Classes 10Ws and 10Me were actively involved in the program, showcasing their findings to the Council during presentations following the site visits.

Cultural engagement was woven into the experience, highlighted by a Whakatau led by Wheturangi Tepania, accompanied by the melodious singing of a waiata by the girls. Students took the opportunity to express their perspectives on the actions they wished the Council to undertake for the preservation of waterways, emphasising the importance of clean water suitable for swimming and drinking for future generations. The Council's participation was invaluable, with presentations from scientists and environmental monitoring personnel shedding light on various pathways leading to careers and roles within the Waikato Regional Council.

Additionally, students had the opportunity to see how the science and mathematics they learn in the classroom can directly lead to these career pathways. This exposure provided students with insight into potential career opportunities and the significance of environmental stewardship in their local community. Overall, the Secondary School Employer Partnership initiative between Hamilton Girls' High School and the Waikato Regional Council served as a platform for meaningful engagement, fostering environmental awareness, cultural appreciation, and career exploration among students. The program exemplifies the importance of partnerships between educational institutions and local organisations in nurturing well-rounded individuals equipped to address real-world challenges.

A special acknowledgment goes to the dedicated teachers of 10Me and 10WS and our supportive Careers Department who played integral roles in the success of the SSEP visits: Julian Pescud, Urmila Anand, Arshpreet Niwadha, Jem Thompson, Daya Chandra, Vicki Burgess-Munro, Wheturangi Tepania and Wendy Calder.