Pupils' field trip takes in 'treasure'

College Street School, Dunedin, pupils (from left) Amanda Fiveash, Noah Wray, Te Aroha Rakete, Shaey McDonnel and Abbey Crawford race down the sandhills at Sandfly Bay at the end of their day-long field trip yesterday. Photo by Jane Dawber.

The hills of Otago Peninsula were alive with College Street School, Dunedin, pupils yesterday, as part of a field trip to view the area's sights.

All 180 pupils explored the peninsula, visiting Taiaroa Head, Larnach Castle and Sandfly Bay, and taking a trip on the Monarch.

Principal Gary Tenbeth said the field trip was part of the school's term two inquiry topic "Our Place". The pupils were learning about their surroundings, the school, the wider city and, finally, the "treasure" of the peninsula, Mr Tenbeth said.

Deputy principal Janice Beharrell said the main aim of the trip was to "teach the children what's down at our peninsula" and how they could protect it.

It was also a chance to give the pupils a "real experience" before the school's likely closure at the end of the year, she said.

Mr Tenbeth said the trip had been a great success, with one group of children seeing a pod of dolphins.

- Tegan McKnight