Experiencing Marine Reserves with Isabel

Te Manga and Te Kauru have been given the opportunity to take part in Experiencing Marine Reserves at Matai Bay on Friday 29th March. This is a great opportunity for Paparore students to take part in a snorkelling experience in an area that is protected like Matai Bay.

https://www.emr.org.nz/

EMR is a national programme of experiential learning about marine conservation. Te Kura Moana - the school of the ocean. We increase awareness and encourage action and support for marine conservation. We are established in eight regions of New Zealand with up to 28 coordinators. We have a sister programme in one state of Australia. We provide schools and their communities with the expertise and knowledge to experience their local marine environment first-hand, fostering kaitiakitanga. Since 2002, EMR has guided snorkel experiences in marine reserves around New Zealand involving 35547 students (53866 including teachers and whanau).We have guided a total of 54688 kiwis through our marine reserves.

Isabel Krauss from the EMR team visited our school on Wednesday 20th February to take our students for a classroom and snorkelling session in the pool to prepare them for their Matai Bay experience.

In the classroom, Isabel took the students through an identification process of different marine life. The students were unsure of what 'marine' meant before the session, so it was excellent that Isabel was able to confirm this for the students. She told them the story of 'The Very Hungry Kina' and they had a lot of fun acting this out in class.

The students learnt how to put on a dive mask and choose the correct size flippers. Each of the students had the opportunity to use their snorkel and mask in the pool until they felt confident. They had a fabulous time. Thanks Isabel, we can't wait for our snorkelling trip at Matai Bay.