Otatara School continue to be inspired to link to local places - May 2022
Having been inspired by the giant map at the Southland Community Nursery, staff at Otatara School decided to paint their own on the school grounds. Contributing my ‘know how’ from the time the first version of the map was created, we painted and rolled ready for the start of term 2. I was then invited to join in with the senior classes of Otatara School (Mānuka, Akapuka, Tī kōuka, Pōkākā and Tarata) to work out what the graffiti like squiggly lines on the concrete represented and the stories that can be told about our local places.
We distinguished between land and water and located Oreti River, Sandy Point, Oreti Beach, Otatara, the school, New River Estuary and where Invercargill would be. We noticed the roads, and encountered the concept of reclamation, looking closely at the changes that have occurred to the New River Estuary. It was great to hear the wondering of these students and make links between what Otatara and the estuary were like, and what they are like now. I look forward to hearing how this map is used in future learnings and the commission these classes have for future New River Estuary work.
Bronwyn
Posted: 7 May 2022