Kia ora e te whānau,

I will be running a Science Academy this year for the year 6 and above ākonga (students). This will take place at kura (school) and will involve a few visits to the Tūhaitara Coastal Park.

At this stage, Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust are in the hiring process to find a trained educator to lead the environmental education and as a result of this (while the Trust are in the hiring process), I will be leading an Inquiry process in school. 

Ākonga who are interested in joining the Science Academy will work together to recognise what we can do as kaitiaki (guardians) of Tūhaitara Coastal Park. 

The Science Academy will be on a Friday afternoon every week. On the days where we visit Tūhaitara Coastal Park, we will leave school at lunch-time and return to school before the end of the day. 

Any student wishing to be part of the Science Academy must have a bike in good working order and a helmet. Sensible shoes will also be required. You will be informed of the dates of the visits via email.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about our environment and become kaitiaki through personal commitment and action.

The aims of Environmental Education are for students to develop:

1. awareness and sensitivity to the environment and related issues;
2. knowledge and understanding of the environment and the impact of people on it;
3.  attitudes and values that reflect feelings of concern for the environment;
4. skills involved in identifying, investigating and problem solving associated with environmental issues;
5. a sense of responsibility through participation and action as individuals, in addressing environmental issues.

If your ākonga is interested in this opportunity, please could you fill in this Permission Form

Ngā mihi

Amanda