Last week we had 41 Year 11 Geography students go away on our annual Aoraki Mount Cook Trip. It was a very successful week with the students involved with a variety of activities to assist them with their investigation and understanding of natural processes and human interactions within an Alpine environment.

Upon arrival the girls got themselves prepared and organised for their Tasman River study. For this study the girls collected data and made observations about the braided glacial river system. This was a great chance to get stuck in and to develop their field work skills.

On our second day the girls were treated to several tourist activities. These activities were to give the students a real life experience of what it is like to be a tourist in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. The first stop was to the Hermitage Hotel, where we watched a film showing the significance of Aoraki Mount Cook to New Zealand. We then ventured to the Tasman Valley where we split into two groups, one group ventured up to the Tasman Glacier Lookout while the other went out on the Glacier Explorer boats. On the boat ride students learnt about the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest glacier. A highlight for the students was that they got to see, touch and taste ice from the icebergs in the Tasman Lake.

On our last day we turned our focus to investigate how Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is used and whether or not these uses are sustainable. We were lucky to have two presentations from staff from the Department of Conservation. Firstly, Ray took us behind the scenes and showed the girls around the infrastructure of the park. We looked at the National Park’s water source, recycling, waste disposal and the sewage system. Secondly, we visited the Department of Conservation Center and Janine discussed how the park manages visitors to the area and what future plans they are thinking about to manage the return of international tourists to the park.

It was a fabulous week with fabulous students. The trip gave us all the opportunity to experience one of the most beautiful and unique parts of the world and carry with us memories for life. Thank you to all the students who got involved and participated with positivity and integrity.