St. Mary’s Primary School - Michelle Fritchley
2025 | Biodiversity Conservation in Hawkes Bay
Name: Michelle Fritchley
School: St. Mary’s Primary School
Region: Hawkes Bay
Programme: Biodiversity Conservation in Hawkes Bay
Host Organisation: Sustainable Hawkes Bay
St Mary’s School in Hastings is a Year 0-8 Catholic school. The staff at St. Mary’s School strive to give children a practical, inquiry-based science education within meaningful contexts. The school encourages students to engage in real-life experiences that inspire curiosity and integrate learning across the curriculum. Guided by the schools Gospel Values, students are nurtured to see themselves as kaitiaki (guardians of God’s creations), fostering a sense of responsibility to make a positive impact on the world around them.
St Mary’s School is looking forward to Michelle being able to apply her new insights from the Science Teaching Leadership Programme (STLP) to deepen their understanding of the Nature of Science, develop a science framework aligned with the refreshed curriculum, and strengthen connections with local science organisations.
Michelle has 22 years of experience teaching junior school students (new entrants to Year 3) in Papamoa, Palmerston North, and Hastings. She is passionate about creating engaging learning environments and uses science to inspire students where it naturally integrates into oral language, literacy, and mathematics. Michelle is excited about growing her knowledge and understanding of the Nature of Science along with the science capabilities.
Michelle is being hosted by the Biodiversity Team at Sustainable Hawkes Bay. Michelle will work with the team to gain skills and knowledge in national inanga spawning programs, including saltwater wedge surveys, habitat assessments, fish passages, spawning and egg counts, eDNA sampling, and community-based freshwater quality monitoring. She will also collaborate with the Environmental Education Team on school-focused programs such as field trips, water quality testing, habitat assessments, macroinvertebrate sampling, freshwater classroom activities, bioblitz events, planting, and litter cleanups connected to water quality.