Ecological data captured by Lincoln High School students during a field trip to Tārerekautuku Yarrs Lagoon will be used by Selwyn District Council and others to guide future management of the site. 

The group of year 13 ecology students braved a raging southerly to take part in a pioneering monitoring programme, alongside our staff and experts from Department of Conservation (DOC) and Lincoln University. 

Developed in partnership with Enviroschools, the monitoring programme is piloting new ways to engage year 13 students in relevant fieldwork during typically content-heavy NCEA assessments. It’s inspired by the school’s Head of Science Willem Tolhoek’s ‘vision’ for students to experience real science beyond the confines of the school laboratory. 

“It’s important that we apply what students learn in the classroom, by connecting them with experiences within their local community,” Willem said. 

“In this instance, students could hone their skills and knowledge alongside those who’ve transferred their passion for science into a career.” 

It’s hoped the pilot will eventually be adopted as a means of formal assessment as part of the school’s localised curriculum.