Kamo Intermediate - Term 4 2008

Kamo Intermediate School (KIS) have participated in the EMR programme for 6 years now. Many of the students had been snorkelling before - some had even done the EMR programme before, and they had all done the Drains to Harbour programme in term 2 which focuses on freshwater and catchment issues. However, the majority of them had very limited knowledge about the concept of marine biodiversity, and not many of them could explain why we have a marine reserve in the Whangarei Harbour. The community knowledge was similar. The closest marine reserves are the distant Poor Knights Islands, which are only accessible by boat, and the Whangarei Harbour marine reserve (1 hour drive away) which was only established in 2006 by Kamo High School.

The immediate environment around Kamo is quite populated and water quality studies show that many waterways around the area are degraded. The Kamo catchment flows into the Whangarei Harbour on the East coast. The closest marine environment is on the east coast in the Whangarei harbour and the Tutukaka coast. The Whangarei harbour and the Tutukaka coast have high human impacts including fishing (commercial and rec), sewage discharge, rubbish, pollutants from stormwater and runoff. These areas do have marine reserves which need protecting, the Whangarei Harbour has a marine reserve consisting of two sites which has compliance issues and the Tutukaka coast has the offshore islands the Poor Knights marine reserve.

Students were engaged and excited throughout the project. Teachers explained that “The programme was fantastic in raising kids awareness and introducing them to the EMR concept and sustainability which was our terms topic”

“Lots [of students] came in with no knowledge of marine reserves so they learnt heaps”

“Parents have [learned about marine protection as a result of the project] those who travelled with us and those at home.”

Students learnt that “Our local beach was basically empty, marine reserves are much nicer [to snorkel in] because there was way more fish and it was a whole much better natural environment”.

Students were spurred into action too for the project “We made a poster that said “STOP. Be careful of what you throw in the sea” and it had rubbish on it”. 'We wrote a jingle about the Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve and got it on the local radio to raise awareness”.

Students were also inspired to change long-term behaviour “[To personally help the marine environment I will now] not litter around beaches and stop taking fish that aren't the right size”.

Many of the students are now confident snorkellers, thanks to EMR, and are passionate about marine life. They are aware of the concept of a marine reserve and many expressed the opinion that “marine reserves are the best place to go snorkeling and learn because the fish are not afraid of you and there's so much more to see”.

Kamo Intermediate - Term 4 2007

Nikau syndicate (three classes) from KIS took part in the EMR programme in term 4 2007 with teachers Kelly Brown, Dave Palmer, Jenni Hudspith and EMR coordinator Kim Boyle.  Students experienced their local marine environment at McGregors Bay and then ventured down to the Goat Island marine reserve where they were blown away at the difference between the unprotected and protected area. 

Some excellent actions were produced including artwork, displays, participation in the EMR 3rd edition DVD and drain stencilling within the school community.

An Octopus spotted by KIS students at McGregors Bay


KIS at Goat Island


Some Crayfish spotted by KIS kids at Goat Island

Kamo Intermediate School Term 1 2007

 

In Term 1, 2007, 6 classes from Kamo Intermediate School (KIS) took part in the EMR programme. All of these classes were introduced to marine conservation and biodiversity in the classroom before venturing out to try their hand at snorkelling. 

Students went snorkelling in the newly established Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve (WHMR) -   Reotahi site, where students saw seahorses, parore, spotties and stingrays!!  

They also snorkelled at New Zealand’s oldest marine reserve – Goat Island,  where minds were blown and passion was inspired by the range and amount of sea life in the reserve including rays, fish, seaweeds and invertebrates.

KIS produced some awesome group actions including letters to council, Department of Conservation (DoC) and Reotahi residents about the need for better facilities at Reotahi, the design of bumper stickers to promote awareness and participation in the WHMR. Many individual actions and projects were also inspired, including posters, PMI’s, speeches, displays and comic strips. Chenae Sketchley and Jordanah Thomas from Room 15 won a trip to the Poor Knights marine reserve for their participation in a group action and their awesome display on marine conservation.

Five more classes are planning on taking part in the EMR programme in Term 4, 2007. Go hard Kamo Kids!!

KIS 2006

 

 

 

 

Rooms 6 and 8 had a fantastic time on the EMR programme in term 4, 2006.  They experienced three marine reserves!!  The first trip was to the magical Poor Knights Island marine reserve.  Marine biodiversity lessons in the classroom were then followed up with a snorkel in the new Whangarei Harbour marine reserve site at Reotahi, Motukaroro and a snorkel in New Zealand ’s first marine reserve at Goat Island .

 

 

 

Students were inspired by their experiences to three marine reserves and hope to help enhance and protect the new reserve at Motukaroro.  Students wrote letters to local councillors asking for public toilets/changing rooms and better tracks at the new Whangarei Harbour marine reserve. 

 

         

Students also made reports, marine reserve bookmarks, dioramas comparing the 3 reserves and one student made a video production interview with long time marine author and underwater photographer Wade Doak which she showed to her classmates and hopes to get reproduced for other students to watch.