On Wednesday, the Seniors headed to Grossi Point to meet Glenis & Richard to undertake some local marine science education. Here is some writing from two kids in Ngaio class about our experience.

"Oooooh!" Anna blew the whistle, we were off to Grossi Point. Me and Rowan were third in line, behind Fergus, Ollie & Charlie T. 

When we arrived, we were sorted into 5 different groups. I was in group 5. We all headed to our different stations. At station 5 we were looking at tidal pools. I found multiple crabs and sea stars/ star fish. Then we washed our hands and headed to the next station.

 We were with Richard De Hamel, an amazing scientist from Otago who studies marine animals and the moana. He showed us something amazing, it blew my mind! He had a pastic bottle filled with water and a small model of a sperm whale. When he pressed on the bottle, the sperm whale would sink and when he removed his fingers, the sperm whale would rise. I thought it was absolutely amazing!!

Next we went to Jane's station and we played a crab survival strategy game which was really fun. Next we headed over to Rochelle's station. We played a game of snakes and ladders where we had to answer questions about how to be respectful and safe of things on our beaches and in tidal pools. Once we had finished our game, Charlie and I played a game of marine snap which was fun. 

Last but not least, we headed to Anna's station where we peered through binoculars at sea creatures such as seagulls and dead jelly fish. 

Then we headed back to our bags and thanked Glenis and Richard for teaching us more about the marine environment. We walked back to school, just in time for lunch!

Paddy Audrins - Y5

"Screeeeeaaaach!" blew the whistle. "Sit down everyone!" Anna yelled. We all sat down. "Can we eat something?" Someone whined. "No, it's only 9.35am," Anna called. The Senior Team were down at Grossi Point to learn about marine creatures. 

Anna called out the groups; "Emily F, Ellie B, Isabelle G... etc". Our group went off the Richard to learn about whales and pressure. We each got a turn at blowing through a tube at different depths to see if you could blow some bubbles to the surface. The deeper the blowing tube went, the harder it was. 

Next, we went to Jane to learn about a crab's life cycle. We had to choose the best thing to do given the scenario. The first one was A flock of seagulls swoop down, what do you do? I chose to hide under the sand.

Then we went to Rochelle to play snakes and ladders. When you got to a ladder or a snake, you had to get a question right about marine environment safety.  The questions were something like this "Should you approach a NZ fur seal?" We also learnt about shells. 

Next we went to see Anna on the beach. We observed shells, crabs and seaweed through binoculars and microscopes. I also looked at the jellyfish, it was see-through and a bit purple. 

Finally, we went to Glenis to look at crabs, starfish and sea snails. We got to pick them up carefully and put them in plastic containers. 

Anna blew the whistle and we quickly ran back to our bags. We were leaving now. We trudged back to school.

Overall, I loved the day because of all the games and fun. My favourite activity was with Glenis. 

Emily Field - Y5