Most local schools are able to get students to the car-park area (beside main Onerahi boat ramp) by around 9.30am. Depending on tide and weather, the Society boat (Petrel III) will leave from the main ramp or the floating pontoon at the end of the jetty, some 200m down-harbour. The boat carries 23 passengers. A class of 25 children plus teachers and parent supervisors, usually requires two boat-loads across, which can take up to 40 minutes (usually less). Similarly, for the whole class to be off the island by 2.30pm (leaving enough time to get back to the classroom by 3pm), the first boat-load back needs to leave by about 1.45pm. This leaves three hours or so usable time on the island. An introductory talk by the Ranger is often given at the assembly point on the island.

Most teachers have included the visit as part of the classroom curriculum and therefore have specific goals for the children to achieve while on the island. Most teachers also choose to have a guide provided by FOMLI. If the teacher discusses goals with the guide at an early stage then talks can be tailored to help meet those goals.

There are numerous combinations of tracks to walk, which can be changed according to the age of the students, time available, tide and the weather. A common walk is through the cement ruins to the Singlemens Quarters, up the hill, taking the first left through to the flax field overlooking the ruins. This takes you past a toilet and two interpretation signs. Through the flax field (old quarry floor) onto the beach and along to the boardwalk (please don’t go out onto the sand spit). Then along and up the hill to the Pa. From the Pa, down the ridgeline and again down to the Manager’s house ruins facing up-harbour. It is nice to have lunch on the lawn. Then back up to the School site and then wind down through the trees to Shipwreck Bay for a look at the remains of two ships (if tide is out far enough). It is then a short walk back through the ruins to the pontoon. Most school classes choose to have a guide provided by FOMLI. Best routes can be taken depending on what is to be learnt and the age of the pupils. Informative talks are given to students about features and history of the island and guides ensure the group gets back to the boat in time for students to arrive at school before the school day finishes.

Our Society wishes to produce Teacher Resource Kits. These are information packs which give teachers not only information, but also ideas and ways on how to make an island visit and classroom activities fit into the curriculum so it becomes a valuable (and ERO recognised) learning lesson for the students. We have no such kits yet, but would like to hear from any Teacher (or other individual – Retired teacher?) that may be able to build a Resource Kit for us. Interested? – please contact us.