Hands-on approach makes for life skills

Sailing, skiing and squash are just some of the fun activities Manurewa Intermediate students in South Auckland have been able to enjoy as part of the school’s sports academy.

As many students couldn’t afford such activities in their pastime, the school is there to provide “amazing learning experiences” in and outside the classroom, says principal Iain Taylor.

“Our sports academy provides sporting experiences, which our students would not normally be able to do, due to either financial or cultural barriers.”

While a bunch of students went climbing and snowboarding, others played squash or did ice skating. A big part of the programme will be a camp at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre on Great Barrier Island.

Taylor says, “This could be a life changing experience for some of our students and it will be a trip they will never forget!”

While sporty activities are vital to provide “real life education”, the school’s environmental approach is also on top of the list.

“We put a lot of emphasis on other practical experiences with environmental groups,” says Taylor.

The students have been working on many eco-friendly projects this year, such as making the school’s garden as productive as possible, and building a greenhouse from over 1500 plastic bottles and other recycled materials.

“This greenhouse is not like any other plastic bottle greenhouse you may find on You Tube though,” Taylor says.

“It has been created by using the plastic bottles like a tile. An idea from a Year 7 student!”