On 1 March, the Year 13 Geography class travelled to South Beach and Caroline Bay for their Level 3 Research Internal Assessment

On this trip, we collected the necessary data for our internal such as longshore drift, wave types, beach material, and beach profile. We learned how to measure longshore drift and the beach profile. We learned that although the South Canterbury coast is one environment there are two small unique environments along our coastline. For example, we saw the differences in waves and how Caroline Bay is much more sheltered than South Beach because of the port.

After we collected the appropriate data at each beach Ms Robinson then kindly treated us to an ice cream after the hard work achieved at the two beaches. We then travelled to the South Canterbury Museum where we listened to a speaker talk about the changes that have occurred at Caroline Bay and along the coastline. We saw just how much the water has retreated and how much Timaru Port, Caroline Bay, and South Beach have changed over time due to human modification of the coastline changing how the natural processes operate We learned many new things that have helped us write our internal for Level 3 Geography.

Many thanks to Ms McMurray and the team at the South Canterbury Museum for giving up their time to help us on the day.

Keria Doran and Asha Tyree