OPS 2009

Four Onerahi Primary School classes took part in the EMR programme in Term 4, 2009.  It was the fourth year for this school and they decided to take a really local focus looking at issues within their very nearby Whangarei Harbour.  They looked at rubbish, stormwater pollution, sewage and overfishing threats and looked at ways that they could personally help to keep the harbour healthy and encourage others to do the same.  They visited the Goat Island marine reserve for some inspiration and were lucky enough to swim with dolphins whilst there!  A great time had by all and some excellent eco-warriors in the making!  Kia kaha OPS kids!

OPS 2008

Onerahi Primary School (OPS) students from Rooms 1, 3, 4 and 18 are doing the EMR programme in Term 4, 2008.  This is the third year running for OPS.  OPS is situated very close to Whangarei's recently established marine reserve at Waikaraka and Motukaroro.  Students learnt how to snorkel with EMR coordinator, Kim Boyle, at the Whangarei Aquatic Centre.

After that, they have checked out the new  reserve at Motukaroro (Reotahi) in their very own harbour, where they saw EagleRays, Spotties, Parore, Clown Nudibranchs and beautiful Sponges.

They then ventured down to the long-established reserve at Goat Island where they were treated to swimming with BIG Snapper, Trevally, Red Moki and many more Eagle Rays!  Students have seen the benefits of marine reserves first-hand and now plan to help promote the marine reserve in the Whangarei Harbour to their own community by promoting EMR's community guided snorkel days and raising awareness in the community about the reserve.


OPS 2007
 
Three classes from OPS participated in the EMR programme in 2007 with coordinator Kim Boyle.  Teachers, Meredith McInnes, Ursula Pretorius and Renee Brown got their students involved in marine reserves and they produced some awesome actions after experiencing the marine environment first hand at their local unprotected area  at McGregors Bay and the Goat Island marine reserve.  Actions included a presentation to their school community where students displayed their marine conservation posters whilst singing 'Anchor Me' and sharing ideas about how their peers could make personal contributions to protecting their local marine environment.  They also designed stunning billboards and displayed them along the roadside on the way to and at their local marine reserve in the Whangarei Harbour.

An Eagleray spotted by OPS students at their local unprotected are - McGregors Bay.

OPS students and Mum 'OK' at McGregors Bay.


A big Snapper/Tamure spotted by OPS students at Goat Island.


Action within the school community


Action within the community - 'Onerahi Primary supports marine reserves'


More action within the wider community - 'Discover our marine diversity!'