Education resource launched today
A dream for years, the seed of the idea germinated 30 months ago and today we launched the magnificent “Blue Penguins and Other Seabirds” education resource.
Kaniere School teacher, Kristine Hickford and her class hosted the launch party today and Kristine received the very first copy.
Other guests included Peter Cudmore of Hokitika Scouts, Helen Baillie of Hokitika Brownies and Kate Miller and Sarah-Jane Luoni from the Department of Conservation. They also received hard copies of the new resource, which will be sent to all schools, youth leaders, holiday programme coordinators and environmental educators on the West Coast in the next few days. It has been written for the West Coast but will be useful in every NZ coastal area, and homeschool parents and indeed any parent and grandparent will find fun activities and fascinating resources to share with children.
New World baker and his penguin cake
Everyone enjoyed a beautiful penguin cake made by Hokitika New World’s famous baker, Rex, kindly provided for the launch by owner Gary Lee.
The whole resource takes children on a journey as they learn about penguins and penguin habitat on the Coast, consider and take actions to help penguins, and then celebrate and share their projects.
Hokitika based primary school teacher and environmental educator, Zoe Watson, has written the material, which focusses on the ever popular blue penguin and provides information and activities relating to the Coast’s other seabirds.
Trustee Jill Cotton thanks author Zoe Watson
The resource has been developed with support and advice from local teachers, including Kristine and Jess at Kaniere School, and the various activities have been trialled as they have been developed. The whole resource has been presented to make it as easy as possible for you to use, both in this hard copy version as well as online at the Trust’s website, www.bluepenguin.org.nz/education.
Whether you are a primary school teacher, home school parent or youth leader, this will be a useful and interesting resource that you can dip into or work through for a longer project, as the children in your care get to know, love and protect penguins. For teachers, links to the New Zealand Curriculum are presented in an easy to use table and each activity is linked to Learning Areas and Achievement Objectives for Level 2, and can be readily adapted for other levels.
The project would not have been possible without the backing of some wonderful supporters including the Hon Damien O’Connor MP and Trust Patron, Craig Potton, as well as local teachers and scout and guide leaders, and of course the essential and wonderful sponsorship from Holcim and grants from Pub Charity and especially the Lottery Grants Board.
Thank you!
The front cover of the new resource - design and print by Dave Kwant and West Coast Print
Zoe introduces the new resource to Kaniere school children, parents and invited guests
