Our Year 12 Biology students will be taking part in a field trip to Thomsons Bush during their scheduled biology lesson.  One of Southland’s rare kahikatea-dominated swamp forests, where they will investigate the ecological pattern of stratification as part of Achievement Standard 91158: Investigate a pattern in an ecological community. This trip provides valuable hands-on experience in data collection and analysis, supports their learning for internal assessments, and helps them develop important skills in collaboration, critical thinking, and environmental awareness, while also fostering an appreciation for New Zealand’s unique natural heritage.

They will use their field observations to write up their 4-credit Internal assessment.

Details:

• Time: During class time day to be confirmed during March
• Transport: 1 small bus, or 2 x mini vans depending on class sizes
• Clothing and Equipment Required: Mufti and suitable footwear or gumboots. Dressing to the weather conditions, sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses If hot, and then warm clothing If cold as It Is exposed with limited shelter.
• Cost: Free as the payment for the first field trips covers the two field trips
  • Please note: School Policy requires payment in full for your child to be eligible to attend this trip. Payments will be allocated to any unpaid fees and charges on your child’s account first.
• Venue: Thomson’s bush, Queens Drive, Invercargill

Mel Young, Urte Bierlin and Adair Caudwell have a current first aid qualification and will be always carrying a first aid kit. We all have a wealth of experience and have had a pre site visit to ensure the conditions are safe for our students and staff while on the field trip.  We also have Lee Pirini and Tanya Ye who will be accompanying their classes on the trip. If for some reason an accident does happen, Mel Young will ring the parent immediately and notify the school.

This event contains risks, including slipping over while walking up and down stairs or while sampling In the forest, cutting your hand while sampling the forest community.  This event is managed by school staff who will manage risk and hazards according to the school’s safety management plan. This includes careful use of appropriate nonslip footwear, dressing to the weather conditions and students being aware of the risks while working in the forest as it is often a lot cooler than the outside temperature, due to shade from larger trees.  While risks can be maintained to acceptable levels they cannot be eliminated.  Some risk is retained for its learning and experiential value.  If you wish to come in to school to see our safety management systems or have any questions, feel free to contact Mel Young at [email protected] 03 2116030.

 It is important for safety reasons that students follow instructions given to them by all staff and follow all appropriate school rules. Behaviour by students that is deemed dangerous and puts themselves and/or others at undue risk will result in your child being picked up by a caregiver and not attending further Year 12 Biology trips this year.

Please complete the permission form below by Friday 27 February 2026

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Student Information:

Please complete the following information for your child.

Student's Full Name*

First Last

Students Date of Birth*

DD slash MM slash YYYY

Student Mobile

Home Phone

Students Medical Information:*

I give permission for this information to be shared with the teacher in charge as required.

Yes (Medical)

Transport*

Please indicate below if you give permission for your child to be driven in a school van or with Go Bus. (If you have any queries in relation to this please contact the Teacher in Charge of the trip).

Yes, I give permission (Transport)

Parent/Caregiver Information:

Parent/Caregivers Name*

First Last

Parent/Caregivers Email*

Please enter a valid email address to receive a emailed version of this form once completed.

Parent/Caregivers Mobile*

Parent/Caregiver Consent

Please tick the boxes below to complete the Parent/Caregiver Consent.

Parent Consent*

I give my child permission to participate in Year 12 Biology class trip to Thomsons Bush

My child has read and understands the Student Code of Conduct.

My child's medical information is up to date with Student Services

I acknowledge the school policy that states you must 'pay before play/attend' an event/trip or sport.

I acknowledge that full payment is required by the due date specified for my child to be eligible to participate in this event.

I acknowledge that any payments made to my child's account will be allocated to the oldest unpaid fees/charges if any and that my child is not able to participate until all these charges are paid in full.

I acknowledge and accept the Risks Disclosure.

Parent/Caregiver Signature*