Mercury Bay Area School

Mercury bay Area School situated in Whitianga on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula has a roll of 780 students with approximately 455 students in the years 7-13 section of the school.

EMR 2008

The EMR programme was piloted with 57 year 8 students in February / March 2008. DOC ranger Dan Rapson led the class sessions with follow up from the fantastic teachers Robyn Fotheringham, Julie Bougen and Paul Scott. Snorkelling lessons were run at the school pool by the class teachers during phys ed time.

There was plenty of media interest as well as HUGE support from the local community. A special shout out needs to go to Darrell Bird and the staff at Dive HQ Whitianga for lending us kayaks and staff for the feild trips to Te Whanganui-A-Hei. Also to Whitianga Pharmacy for providing the students with underwater cameras.

Ranger Dan teaches students the importance of marine biology and marine reserves

Getting geared up to for the Gemstone bay snorkel trail in Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve

Mercury Bay Seafaris (Glass Bottom Boat) sponsored prizes for Sea Week

EMR 2009

 Forty - six MBAS students went through the programme during Februry / March 2009. Staff changes in DOC meant that ranger Rebekah Caldwell took a lead roll in the class sessions with the help of Marine 'techie' Kristina Hillock. These lessons were followed up by the same awesome teaching staff, Robyn, Julie and Paul.

Class snorkelling lessons were again taken by the class teachers during school time.

Yet again great work was produced by the students and their passion for the marine environment really shone through.

A special 'shout out' to Darrel Bird and the team at  Dive HQ Whitianga for their amazing deals on the new equipment.

EMR 2010

With seventy-five MBAS students enrolled for the 2010 year meant that we had to get ourselves more staff, new co-ordinator Krishna Duffin joined the team in November 2009 to help with the expanding number of students.