Leigh and Pakiri Schools took part in the EMR programme in Term One, 2008 with EMR coordinator, Kim Boyle and support from Sue Cameron from the Department of Conservation's Warkworth Area office.

Students were introduced to the programme in the classroom where they learnt about marine biodiversity and reserves. Then they learnt how to snorkel in the Leigh School pool with Kim.

After learning how to safely snorkel and look after eachother in the sea, students, parents and teachers ventured out to their local unprotected beach at Matheson Bay. Here, students saw lots of Kina, not much seaweed, goatfish and spotties. They also found a big crab in the rock pools!

A couple of weeks later students, parents and teachers made the 10 minute journey down to the Goat Island marine reserve. Despite living so close, some of the students had never been snorkelling at the reserve. Here they found a big difference to Matheson Bay, despite being just around the corner in a similar habitat. They saw not many Kina and lots of Seaweed, big Snapper and Crayfish, Piper, Blue Cod, Butterfish and Blue Maomao to name a few.

Ivan and Christina from the Glass Bottom Boat took them on a ride through the reserve the following week when the conditions were suitable and we they learnt heaps about the reserve. They learnt that you can't feed the fish or catch the fish inside a reserve, and you can't take anything from a reserve, including shells, shellfish and seaweed.

After their experiences, students set to work putting together some awesome artwork and information for display. Pakiri School also sent a letter to Helen Clarke about the endangered Maui's Dolphin and how it needed stronger protection. Leigh School made a stunning display and brochures which are now on display at the DoC office in Warkworth.

Ashley Maher and Hannah Blackwell from Leigh School and Malachi Harris from Pakiri School represented their schools on the annual EMR trip to the Poor Knights Islands marine reserve in May 2008 in reconition of their strong passion and effort that they showed whilst on the EMR programme. Well done guys!!