Nayland's new teachers head out on the Waka!

Nayland College's new teachers had hands on experience of place based learning as they paddled together around Nelson Haven. The activity is part of the orientation and induction process for new teachers to the school.

We were joined by some enthusiastic student leaders who paddled the waka alongside their teachers and took a lead in teaching them stories from the region. After a safety briefing, a lesson in how to paddle and understanding some key commands we all joined in putting the waka into the water. 

The day was designed to introduce the new staff to some important local places and to hear some stories about the region as well as to build whanaungatanga among the Nayland College whānau. The student volunteers, along with Assistant Principal Matua Bruno Watkins, led the day and did an amazing job of sharing their learnings and understanding with the teachers. First stop was the lighthouse where Xanthe shared the story of Kupe and the Boulder Bank and Zack told us the history of the lighthouse. After paddling on we stopped again at Haulashore Island and Fifeshire Rock and then Tahunanui Beach where our student guides confidently taught us more local history and insights about the region.  

Delicious kai was brought to us on the beach by Kiwi Kai and then we paddled back to the Marina and all worked together to put the Waka carefully away. Year 10 student Lucia said the day was really fun and a good way to get to know some new teachers. And the new staff all agreed that it was a great way to mahitahi (collaborate) with new colleagues and spend some time appreciating some beautiful places of Whakatu / Nelson. English teacher Tami Mansfield commented that it was fantastic to gain experience of the place responsive approach to local curriculum through direct experience and that learning from students was a great example of our SOAR value of ako (learning together). 

Thanks go to our amazing student guides and also to Carmel and Pete of Te Tai o Aorere for their manaakitanga (care and hospitality).