Schools from Northland to Otago are among the winners in the AQA’s Rock our Future school competition for years 5-8 in 2023.
This year’s brief was for students to show three everyday uses of aggregate along with an explanation. They were encouraged to visit a local quarry and design a poster.
Odin Apiata from Ohaeawai Primary School, a small rural school near Kaikohe, is the year 5 winner. His class visited Baxter Quarries near Kerikeri for their inspiration.
Ally Aitken and her class at Mornington School in Dunedin were unable to visit a quarry but she still was able to produce the year 6 winner. Her teacher reports the class researched online before the students did their writing and poster creation.
Ana Kaufana from Oamaru Intermediate took the year 7 Award. Oamaru Intermediate also won the year 8 category two years ago after visiting local Oamaru limestone producers Parkside Quarries. This year they visited North Otago Road Metals.
The Year 8 winner was Anika Beren from Springbank School, a school near Kerikeri which goes from pre-school to college level offering a wide range of subjects. Anika and her class also visited Baxter Quarries.
Wayne Scott says each year the competition is drawing more entries.
“It’s also great to see our AQA members getting behind this and welcoming the students on-site – even down to Baxters hosting two schools which produced two award winners.”
Each year group winner receives $1,000 for their school as well as their own $100 Prezzy Card.
Wayne says the quarry industry is also a winner.
“These entries create interest in our sector which can be life-long. Today’s school pupils are tomorrow’s workers, neighbours and decision-makers. It’s a simple and rewarding investment to make by hosting a school and thanks to those quarries who hosted pupils whether award winners or not.”