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Mahurangi College student Ryan Torckler was one of five students from Rodney who got to go on a snorkeling trip to Poor Knights Island last month. Photo Daryl Torckler
Five Rodney students went on a dive trip to the Poor Knights Islands last month, after winning a place in the annual Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) competition.Mahurangi College students Cormac Blennerhassett, Ryan Torckler, Trace Savage and Leilani Jones and Warkworth School pupil Billy Wilbermoth accompanied 24 other students from around New Zealand.
Students were selected based on their action and enthusiasm as part of the EMR programme in schools.
Year 8 students at Mahurangi College have been participating in the EMR programme for the last six years. It includes a marine biodiversity presentation and a guided snorkel at a marine reserve during Year 8 camp.
Every student then completes an action project, to support marine protection. Ryan Torckler and Trace Savage won the EMR Action prize for their proposal for a new marine reserve, which included a Youtube clip (below), while Cormac Blennerhasset’s project was on the impact of micro-beads in personal care products.
Leilani Jones won the first ever Bobby Stafford-Bush – EMR Ocean Art prize for her design for a mural to create more awareness of the Tawharanui Marine Reserve. She is currently in discussion with Auckland Council around where the mural could be painted.
