Floating Classroom project launched on Soren Larsen

We recently hosted the launch of a new educational initiative for New Zealand - the Floating Classroom.

Andy Riley, well known to Soren folk, set up the daysail as a fund raiser for the Trust that aims to use several vessels around the NZ coast to augment the school curriculum ..

"The programmes that we are working on are primarily aimed at 8 to 14 year olds, the subjects being quite specific and aligned in many cases to the school curricula. They are designed to be suitable for morning or afternoons, a full day, and for larger vessels, overnight. " writes Trust secretary, Mike Pigneguy.

"Some of the subjects we are working on programmes for include: marine biology (in conjunction with a University), basic coastal navigation, meteorology, technology afloat, boating skills: ropework, sailing, kayaking. Coastguard Boating Education courses, heritage and environmental awareness and language skills can also be applied.

Many of the above subjects can be carried on into the schools classroom, thereby keeping a link with the vessel involved. We want to work with selected “floating classrooms” to create imaginative learning opportunities through exciting hands-on meaningful experiences.

We have just a very successful fund raising day sail aboard the ‘Soren Larsen’ (with many thanks to Steve and Rosie and their crew!), and it was a joy for us to see how well that the crew interacted with the children, giving them a great hands-on experience of sailing a tall-ship.

There was no doubt in any one’s mind of what the children gained from that experience , looking at their smiling faces as they left the vessel. Mums and Dads were very happy too! In fact we had a request to extend the age limit for the floating classroom to include 40-80 year olds!"

Keep an eye out for their forthcoming website at www.thefloatingclassroom.org.nz