This term, our Year 7/8 students have been exploring environmental change and their role as Kaitiaki in the community. To deepen their understanding, they recently visited Jane and Jim Young from Forest and Bird.

On a chilly Thursday morning, the students set out for an eagerly anticipated trip to the native nursery. Jane and Jim warmly welcomed us, with Jim sharing fascinating details about the Catlins' major fault line beneath our feet. We then journeyed up to their home, where we enjoyed a panoramic view and discussed how the landscape might have looked 750 years ago.

Dividing into two groups, Jim led one group outside, showing them the native nursery and discussing the various traps used for pest control along their bush pathways. The students gained valuable insights into the traps and the wildlife they target. Meanwhile, Jane conducted a Q&A session inside, where students interviewed her about Forest and Bird’s initiatives. This interactive session tied in perfectly with our writing unit, allowing students to engage directly with the experts.

Despite the cold, it was a great morning filled with new knowledge and inspiration. We're excited to continue our environmental work next term with the jubilee planting project and the Duttons Bridge tidy-up as part of our service unit.