Year 12 Geography IA data collection, Monday 16th and Thursday 19th April, 2018

Dear Parents & Guardians

As you may know fieldwork is an integral part of the IB Geography syllabus. Students have to complete one piece of coursework (Internal Assessment) worth 25% (SL) or 20% (HL) of their final mark, which will be in the form of a fieldwork investigation into beach characteristics.

We are running two field trip days to Clearwater Bay and an island in the Sai Kung Country Park on Monday 16th and Thursday 19th April, to carry out data collection for their coursework and to look at coastal processes and landforms which form part of their course and will be examined in the final assessment.

Students need to look at the weather forecast for each day when deciding what to wear and bring. They also need to look at the guidelines below.

A bus will take us from school to Clearwater Bay at 8.30am and students will catch public buses from Clearwater Bay in the afternoon to make their own way home. Students should swipe in and register with their tutor as usual and then meet in the corridor outside room 157 to collect the fieldwork equipment they will need for the day.

Students will need clothes suitable for an entire day outside. Bring extra layers, hat, waterproof, etc as appropriate. You will need to wear appropriate footwear as some areas are rocky, we will walk along slippery footpaths, and there are often sharp objects on the beach. No-one will go into the sea above their knees to collect data, but a towel might be useful.

You should bring everything needed for your fieldwork; data sheets, equipment, camera, etc. You will also need a packed lunch, snacks and drinks. There may be shops open at one of the beaches but we cannot guarantee this so come prepared.

Thursday 19th April: Observation of coastal processes and landforms along the Sai Kung Coast and coursework data collection.

Students need to make their own way to Sai Kung Public Pier for 08.30am. Weather permitting, the day will consist of a junk boat trip, kayaking and data collection. This will enable us to view stunning coastal scenery, including volcanically formed islands, columnar jointing, sea arches, caves and beaches. There will also be an opportunity for snorkeling to investigate coral communities. The beach on Bluff Island will also be used for data collection, as a comparison to the Clearwater Bay beaches.

Previous kayaking experience is not necessary, as full instruction will be given on safe, user-friendly, sit on top kayaks. The activity is run by Blue Sky Sports Club. You can view their website athttp://www.bluesky-sc.com/en/

Students can change back into their dry clothes on the junk which will take us back to Sai Kung Public Pier for around 16:00pm. Students will make their own way home from there.

Students have already contributed towards the cost of this trip when they registered at the start of this academic year, the remainder will be subsidised by the Geography department.

Please complete and sign the form and return it to your geography teacher.

If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards

Claire Heap, Karen Griffiths, Claire Berry

————————————————————————————————————————————–

	Please tick each row
________	I give permission for my child to attend the Geography Field Trip days which includes a junk boat trip, kayaking and snorkeling.
________	I confirm that all medical information & contact details about my child are up to date on Gateway.
________	I give permission for my child to make their own way home on both days.
_________	I confirm that my child can confidently swim 50m unaided