The sea and weather conditions in Aitutaki were in favour for Apii Vaitau as they headed out Monday, September 20, for a day of ocean exploring with Onu Hewett and his team of ‘Bubbles Below Aitutaki’.

The kids were excited to see turtles sunbathing, flying maroro and whales in action breaching and performing wonderful displays, said teacher Colette Clarke.

Three excursions of 90-minute trips catered for the 46 Apii Vaitau students from Years 3-6.

“Onu, from Bubbles Below (a diving and ocean adventure charter) extended an invitation to our school which we just couldn’t refuse; we had to make this happen for our tamariki,” Clarke said.

“It is so important that they become experts of our island, lagoon and ocean.”

The purpose of the trip was ocean exploring which is linked in with Toku Aorangi – “sustainability learning focus for the kids about land and our environment, this term.”

For many of the children and a few adults, this was their first trip beyond the reef. “Creating these educational experiences is something our tamariki will cherish forever,” said Clarke.

Bubble Below’s Onu Hewett said: “We were happy to offer this marine field trip for our kids, among this group could be our future scientists, marine biologists. Thanks also go to the supporting partners.”

Apii Vaitau would like to say “meitaki atupaka” to Onu and his team for the amazing learning opportunity, Korero o te ‘Orau for supporting this initiative, Papa Tango for bus transportation, Aitutaki Sailing Club for the use of lifejackets, and Manuela Kitai for supplying the ice blocks.