Our Centre offers a broad range of programmes covering all areas of the curriculum, suitable for most topic areas. If we don’t have anything you are looking for we will endeavour to create a programme which suits your learning intentions.
Years 0-13
Social Science, The Arts
Commemorate ANZAC day this year by immersing your students into the war effort on the home front during 1916. This programme is action packed full of activities children experienced in New Zealand during this period. The day concludes with a student led church service commemorating the first ANZAC service.
Years 5-13
Science, Social Science, The Arts
For classes who have already experienced the Homefront, the sequel is even more interactive – as actors for the day students will become nurses, stretcher bearers and front line soldiers. Ideally suited for group’s 25-35 students.
Years 0-4 Science, Social Science, The Arts
A programme aimed at the younger students to focus on Toys and Games of the past through the eyes and hands of children during the 1914-1918 period. Students compare and classify, determining what the were made of and how they work. The afternoon programme has the students participating in ‘family’ pastimes and the playground and parlour games of the time. This is the pre-plastic, pre-battery era!
Years 4-13
Social Science, Science, The Arts
Consider a visit to the historical Brunner mine site, one of the earliest industrial sites in NZ. Our Educators will provide your students with hands on experiences to better understand how life was in ‘Coal Gorge’ back when coal was king. Define your focus from programmes such as The Resources That Were; Immigration to a Safe Colliery; People, Places and Environment, and Blood on the Coal- NZ’s worst mining disaster. We can tailor the programme around your science, social studies or economic curriculum learning intentions. You won’t find a better place for students to consider such topics as cause & effect or impacts on families, business, community and the environment. This programme can also include either a re-enactment or discovery time at the Stillwater Cemetery.
Years 3-13
Social Science, English, The Arts, Math
Select from a wide range of learning experiences, including early Chinese costumes, giving your students the opportunity to ‘walk in someone else’s shoes’. Experiences can range from the push-pull factors of immigration, establishing a mining claim, setting up a mining camp, mining, trading, gardening, racism and the Poll Tax. An optional extra and a highlight to this programme is a traditional Chinese lunch using chopsticks.
Years 0-8
Social Science, The Arts
Every year, around late January to mid February for 2 weeks, Chinese around the world celebrate their New Year. These celebrations were of significant relevance to the Chinese gold miners who came to the West Coast in the 1860s. We enjoy providing schools with an insight into the culture, traditions and beliefs that surround the Chinese New Year. Hands-on participation, original artefacts, Chinese crafts and a lion dance performance are all part of this exciting programme.
Years 0-13
English, Technology, Science, Social Science, The Arts
A hands-on programme designed to look into the various forms of communication developed over the years starting from how Māori communicated their stories before their written language was developed, and used conch shells and smoke signals, to early settler days of a town crier and telegrams, newspapers, messengers, mail service, dip pen and letter writing, signaling for help without a phone, and forms of advertising.
Years 0-8
Social Science, English, Science
Our Ngahere is a versatile programme which can be tailored to meet each class’s individual topic needs. This programme can evolve into exploring habitats or general guardianship and conservation, or focus on how te ngahere provided for Māori and the early settlers to NZ. The programme provides hands on and practical introductions for the students with access to the natural bush at Shantytown. Microscopes are also available.
Years 0-8
Social Science, English, Science
Our insect treasures are discovered, admired and returned to their natural habitat as your students participate in a hands-on day involving magnifying glasses, microscopes and classifying.
Not to be confused with The Denniston Experience-Journey Inwards, the tourist attraction.
Years 4-13
English, Science, Social Science, Technology
In partnership with Friends of the Hill at Denniston, Marsden Valley Education Centre offers this programme about the history and life in Denniston. At Denniston, students will hear stories and see a slideshow to identify what life was like at Denniston during its hey-day. A tour of a replica mine entrance and other activities are included in this visit. This programme is free, however a donation made to the “Friends of the Hill” would be appreciated.
Years 0-8
English, Science, Social Science, The Arts
This programme is designed to look at the main cultures of people who came to Te Tai Poutini, the West Coast, and how and why. Starting with the early Māori settlers, Pounamu traders and moving on to the various Chinese and European miners. Learn all about the resources they came in search of.
Years 0-13
English, Social Science,
A short programme which involves a steam train ride, gold panning, and a guided tour through the township by one of our Educators.
This programme is a great add on for ESOL groups or schools passing through with not much time to spare.
Years 3-8
Science, Maths, Social Science
Participants are split into groups and Trainee Detectives use problem solving skills to solve the case of the “Disappearing things”. In this real life context, students practice their time keeping skills, establish timelines, search for clues, map read, measure, identify patterns, count and calculate. A popular Maths week programme.
Years 4-13
Social Science, The Arts, Health and PE
This is our most popular programme! Students experience first-hand, what life was like on the goldfields during the 1860’s. This is a day packed with team work, physical endurance and problem solving. As with all our programmes, we are happy to tailor the day to your specific learning objectives.
Years 1-13
Social Science, Technology, English, The Arts
A wide variety of challenges for junior or senior students. Most activities are based on life in the past however, any topic area can be covered. This is a competitive team work programme which was developed for year 9-10 students but will enhance any year group. This programme covers all 5 Key Competencies. Using a round robin style challenge, students will work in groups to complete motivating, creative and hands on tasks where a score is awarded for various key points reached along the way.
Years 4-13
Social Sciences, English, Math, The Arts
This is a fantastic hands-on programme to enhance any economics, accounting or math class. Based on the economics of the Goldfields, students will develop a solid understanding of scarcity, competition, opportunity, supply and demand, profit and loss, bartering and profit margins with the addition of percentages, throughout this competitive programme. A great chance for the budding entrepreneurs of your classroom! The day can include Chinese market gardeners, merchants, gold dealers and other such businesses of the time. As with all our programmes, we will tailor make the day to suit the year level of your students and your Achievement Objectives.
Years 0-10
Social Science, Science, Health and PE
A full-on day learning the story and some basic skills we associate with Kehu, Thomas Brunner’s Maori Guide. Kehu has been an unsung hero of the exploration of the West Coast for too long. Immerse your students in a day of bush craft, from building temporary shelters, making flax cordage, using a fire plow, through to gaining an insight and appreciation of the fine attributes of Kehu, Superman of the Bush. Casual clothes and gumboots are a must for this programme!
Years 3-13
Social Science, The Arts, English
Learn about the history of Māori and European crime and punishment. Authentic case studies can be explored and a courtroom session staged. Who robbed the train? This programme not only explores social history but also provides a great stimulus for writing and verbal presentation.
Years 0-10
The Arts , Social Sciences, Science, Learning Languages
Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in mid-winter. Activities can include crafts and kite making, Harakeke weaving and plaiting, native tree planting, legends, drama and appreciation of Te Ngahere. A programme designed to celebrate the traditions and customs surrounding Matariki.
Years 0-8
Math
Numbers, shapes, geometry, problem solving, patterns and much more for this day! A great way to let your students experience practical math with a series of challenges in a real life context. Remember us during math’s week!
Years 3-13
Social Science, Science, English, Technology
A Programme designed as an introduction to Rongoā, as used historically in Te Tai Poutini, as well as incorporating relevant science terminology and processes as set out in the science curriculum. This is a hands on day where students will study and identify native plants in our ngahere and learn their uses. Students experiment with making simple herbal remedies.
Years 0-13
Science, Social Science, Health and PE
“Sustainability is a critical issue for New Zealand –environmentally, economically, culturally, politically, and socially. We need to learn how to live smarter to reduce our impact on the environment for future generations.” Students on this programme experience walking in the shoes of Māori and Early Settlers, where food was not always abundant and nothing was wasted. Learn how food was preserved and complete a series of challenges to REPAIR, RE-USE, and RE-PURPOSE.
Years 4-13
Social Science, Technology, Science, Health and PE
A programme focusing on surviving after a disaster when power and communication are lost and families have to return to basics. Activities include basic food preparation, water purification, emergency shelter building, and communication.
Years 9-13
Social science, Math
Using and interpreting historical documents required in all tasks. Looking at life in the late 1800’s, this programme covers 3 aspects of historical significance on the West Coast. (1) Speech making in the streets of Shantytown either advocating or opposing a significant political view of the time. E.g. Suffragettes, Depression, Racism. (2) Creating a viable business plan to present to an investor. (3) Supply and Demand of this era.
Years 0-4
Social Science, TheArts, Technology, English, PE
Hands-on day designed to give students an insight into games and toys throughout NZ history. These include traditional Māori games, picnic, parlour and playground games. Language skills are used with rhymes and group games.
Years 0-6
Social Science, The Arts, Technology
A selection of short experiences designed to give a snapshot of the lives of children both rich and poor in the late 1800’s. This day has a mix of Victorian classroom, playground games and chores with mother.
Years 1-8
Social Science, The Arts
An experience that will be remembered forever! Students make traditional decorations, act out the nativity story, may have a special Christingle ceremony from times past and sing Christmas carols in the Shantytown church. To finish the day, students participate in typical Boxing Day games that were common to the era and climate of the Southern Hemisphere.
Years 3-8
English, Social Science, The Arts
Welcome to our classroom where we are back in the 1880’s with Victorian values and attitudes towards children. Handwriting on slate boards or with dip pen and ink, spelling, reading, dictation and arithmetic are covered during the day. All are presented in the old fashioned way when children were seen but not heard. This programme will give students an opportunity to compare education past and present. This can also be offered as a half day programme in conjunction with another programme.
Years 4-13
Social Science, Science, Health and PE
Experience an abandoned town and learn its history. The day includes an orienteering course around the town to learn about the history of Waiuta and a tour of the Prohibition Mill and Shaft. Key ideas include the impact of natural resources on West Coast communities, places, and people, and how people impact places.
Years 3-8
Science, Social Science, Technology, Health and PE
This is a hands-on day with a look at water and how it shapes the land around us. How water was essential for Māori and Early Settlers on the West Coast. How water was needed for industry and its impact on the environment. This day could include building dams, creating a stepping stone path across our creek or constructing a simple water wheel.We can also offer a programme investigating water, conservation and the environment. Gumboots will be essential!
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Open Hours: 9 am – 4 pm
Closed: Christmas Day
Morning Train Times: 11am
Afternoon Train Times: 12.30 pm & 2.00pm
