March 2012.
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 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 fieldtrip days to Clearwater Bay and Sai Kung on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th
May, 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
each day. They also need to look at the guidelines below.
Thursday: Clearwater Bay Beaches, coursework data collection. A bus will take us from school to
CWB at 8.30am and students will catch public buses from Clearwater Bay in the afternoon.
You will need clothes suitable for an entire day outside. Bring extra layers, hat, waterproof, etc as
appropriate. Some areas are rocky, we will walk along slippy footpaths, and there are often sharp
objects on the beach. Wear appropriate footwear. 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 and drinks. There may be shops open at one of the beaches.
Friday: Observation of coastal processes and landforms along the Sai Kung Coast. Students need
to make their own way to Sai Kung Public Pier for 8.45am. We will discuss transportation in
school and hopefully students may be able to share cars / taxis or travel together on buses.
Weather permitting, the day will consist of a junk 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. We will also see fish farms and 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, userfriendly, sit on top kayaks. The activity is run by Kayak-and-Hike Ltd and you can visit their
website at http://www.kayak-and-hike.com/ .
For this day you will need:
Data sheets and equipment as Thursday.
Old trainers or sandals, like Keen or Teva. Those without shoes don’t get to kayak in caves or
through sea arches! Leave flip flops by the pool.
A packed lunch.
A reusable water bottle and water, for which refills will be available during the day.
A light back pack.
Non greasy waterproof sun-block min SPF 15.
A small towel.
Mask and snorkel if you want to use your own.
Dry clothing for travelling to Sai Kung and for the return journey.
Swimwear with sun-suits / lycra tops, etc (you will be wet for most of the day).
Windbreaker or waterproof.
Bug repellant.
Hat.
Sunglasses.
Camera (preferably waterproof or it can be left on the boat).
Students can change back into their dry clothes on the junk which will take us back to Sai Kung
Pier for around 4.30pm. Students will make their own way home from there.
The cost of the trips will be $780. We are only able to keep the price this low by substantially
subsidising the cost from geography department funds.
Please complete and sign the indemnity form, contact and medical information sheet and return
them, together with payment (cheques payable to Sha Tin College), to Mr White, Mr Overens, Ms
Griffiths or Ms Lederer.
If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact us at school.
Tony White