Learning Comes To Life At Archibald Park

Splashy Nature Day with Kelston Girls College and Blockhouse Bay Intermediate

Seventy-two students from Kelston Girls’ College and Blockhouse Bay Intermediate headed to Archibald Park on 23 March for Splashy Nature Day, enjoying a mix of kayaking, water safety, environmental learning and creative activities.

Across the day, students rotated through a range of activities including kayaking led by Auckland Sea Kayaks, on-land lessons with Drowning Prevention Auckland, water quality testing, pollution lessons with Sea Cleaners and art workshops led by Whau the People.

Sea Cleaners came on their boat down the Whau River with the tide to the Archibald Park Pontoon, giving students the chance to climb onboard and learn more about the organisation’s work removing rubbish from the Whau River and surrounding waterways. Students heard about the impact pollution has on marine environments and how regular clean-ups help protect wildlife and improve water quality.

One of the strongest themes of the day was teamwork and survival skills. Student Christine Ky said the drowning prevention sessions taught students how to support one another in emergency situations.

“We learnt how to survive with a life jacket. When we’re with other people, we huddle up in a circle, and the people who are injured go in the middle,” she said.

“Then you line up, all holding each other’s vest shoulders. You put the injured people in the front so they don’t have to swim at all. Then we’re just gonna pull them — that’s what we learned.”

Students also spent time kayaking on the water, with many building on skills they had learned in previous years.

“The rowing was fun, like exercising, and you’re learning new skills,” said Pavni Ram.

“I did rowing before, last year, when I was at Kelston Intermediate. So this is my second time – I’m much better this year!”

Throughout the day, groups rotated between activities in 40-minute blocks, while kayaking sessions ran for more than an hour, giving students plenty of time to get comfortable on the water and work together as a team. During the art sessions, they learnt how to use natural materials, such as sticks and leaves, to paint onto canvas.

The event highlighted the value of outdoor education experiences that connect young people with their local awa in practical and memorable ways. Alongside learning important safety skills, students were encouraged to think about environmental stewardship and the role waterways play in the community.As Te Whau Pathway continues to grow along the Whau River, days like Splashy Nature Day help strengthen connections between young people, the environment and the water right on their doorstep.

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