Diving Deep: Semester 1 Ocean Programme for Years 8–10

Semester 1 saw our Year 8–10 students plunge into a rich, hands-on ocean learning journey through the ISS Ocean Programme. The term began with an Ocean Amazing Race, where students navigated mangroves, paddled out to the ISS Explorer to practice knot-tying, and raced to the pool to retrieve a “missing key”—an exciting kickoff that set the tone for the weeks ahead.

Students then selected one of eight student-led ocean projects, each aligned with the Ocean Literacy Framework and the UN Ocean Decade Challenges. The project themes ranged widely, allowing every student to find a passion point—from coral monitoring, ridge to reef ecology, mangroves and seagrass, to sustainable fishing and transport, as well as film, performance, and ocean storytelling.

Each group helped shape the direction of their project, taking ownership of their learning and outcomes. Field trips took students far beyond the classroom—to local communities, the Fiji Museum, city markets, USP marine collection, and onto the water aboard the ISS Explorer and traditional voyaging on the Uto Ni Yalo. These were balanced with school-based sessions for editing videos, analyzing data, learning new skills and reflecting on their experiences. The students were supported with a range of local experts who helped them on their projects. 

The semester culminated in a range of student showcases, with some groups presenting at our End of Semester Assembly and the Veivueti Ocean Conference. The Film group received fantastic feedback after debuting Heart of the Deep, while the Performance group shared their ocean-themed dances inspired by Pacific Island cultures at both the school Fun Day and the Veivueti conference. The Coral Monitoring and Ridge to Reef teams shared the results of their investigations and fieldwork with peers and invited guests. These groups also received feedback from ocean experts who attended their presentations, with praise for the quality of the students’ work and the scientific rigour of their methods—some of which, such as photogrammetry, are typically used at university level.

Through these projects, students not only developed knowledge and skills, but also deepened their connection to the ocean, built confidence, and explored ways to take action in support of a more sustainable future. This programme continues to nurture the next generation of ocean leaders—equipped with curiosity, creativity, and care for our blue planet.