Trips & Conservation

All classes throughout the school take regular educational trips during the school year to support the programme. These trips are an integral part of the school’s curriculum.

It is important that all students participate in the scheduled educational trips to enhance the educational experiences provided at school. First Aid kits are taken on all field trips and a clearly defined field trip procedure is followed to ensure safety and efficiency.

Parents and guardians are notified of any trips in advance and must give written permission before their children can participate. The letter provides information on the purpose of the trip, the time and day of the trip and travel arrangements. All curriculum related trips are provided free of charge unless an admission fee is charged when the cost will be borne by the parents/guardians. All students must have parent permission before going on field trips. 

Parents may be asked to help transport the children and every precaution is taken to safeguard the children on these trips, but neither the school nor the parents furnishing the car for the trips can assume complete responsibility for participating students. We require that each field trip driver be certain that his or her car is in excellent driving condition, that he/she has proper insurance coverage, and that each child wears a seat belt.

 

 

An understanding of the natural world and what's in it is a source not only of great curiosity but also of great fulfillment.

-David Attenborough


 

Matura Beach Clean-Up

In March of each year, students of the High School Biology class of the International School of Port of Spain, embark on the first of two trips to Matura, a small village, located on the North East coast of Trinidad. On this first trip the ISPS students are involved in a Beach clean up. This is not just a regular beach clean up, but one that facilitates the successful nesting of the Leatherback turtle during nesting season. Students clear the beach of debris/ logs/ rope etc. which really facilitates the turtles when they attempt to nest. Otherwise they stumble over bits of wood, get caught in rope and often lay their eggs in ground too wet or shallow.

Matura supports the second largest nesting assemblage of Leatherback sea turtles in the Republic and is one of the five most valuable nesting beaches on earth, for critically endangered Leatherbacks.

Many leatherbacks  meet an early end due to human activity. It is estimated that only about one in a thousand leatherback hatchlings survive to adulthood.

-National Geographic


 

Matura Conservation Trip

In May/ June the students embark on a second trip, where the students become conservationists for a night and learn about the dedication of a conservation group called Nature Seekers. Nature seekers is a non profitable community based organization, established in 1990 for the protection and conservation of the endangered leatherback turtle in Matura. They act as an approved tour guide agency to facilitate the viewing and the bonding of the marine turtles and visitors to prevent harassment and disturbance to the endangered marine reptiles. Over the last 19 years the Nature Seekers have helped reduce the slaughtering of egg baring leather back turtles from 30% or more a year to 0%.Their conservation program has received 7 national awards.

The students patrol the beaches, tagging and measuring turtles, collecting data and although an exhausting endeavor, it is also exhilarating as the students learn about the commitment of Nature Seekers.

Biology classes of the international school of Port of Spain have been involved with Nature Seekers and have made an annual trip to Matura for the past 19 years.

What we do now and in the next few years will profoundly affect the next few thousand years.

-David Attenborough


 

Middle School - Grande Riviere Trip

The International School of Port of Spain’s Grand Riviere Trip has been a focal point in the Middle School Calendar. Each year, our 7th Grade Integrated Science Class sets out to the North Eastern Coast of Trinidad to document the laying of the Leatherback Turtle on the village’s shores for an overnight trip. The students also learn about the conservation efforts of the Turtle Village Trust and the protection of the Green and Hawksbill sea turtle native to our shores. A guided tour of the Trust’s facilities allows our students to see the turtles up close and learn about their different ways of life in the wild.

At night, the students are privy to the laying of eggs of the leatherback turtle, guided by several tour guides. The trip reinforces principles of conservation, environmental protection as well as volunteering. Our students are immersed in a hands-on classroom and are given an opportunity to witness one of the most unique wildlife migrations on the planet.