Outdoor Education

Mud run, 2020, at Tokomairiro High School
Mud run, 2020, at Tokomairiro High School

Outdoor activities – an important part of school life.

Outdoor education gives students a chance to develop their personal and social skills, learning to be safe, proactive and skilled in nature and care for the environment. It also leads to better problem-solving, cooperation and taking responsibility. 

The aims of our outdoor education are:

  • To develop skills for safe use of the outdoors
  • To develop confidence, self-esteem and social skills
  • To develop an appreciation and enjoyment of, and respect for, New Zealand’s natural environment
  • To do fieldwork and research

Our school camps:

Encourage students to build relationships outside of the classroom and develop our school values of respect, responsibility and excellence, whilst learning new skills within a variety of physical activities

The camps take place in various locations throughout the Otago and Southland regions and often involve physical activities such as kayaking, surfing, skiing and climbing. 

Our year level camps and locations are listed below. 

  • Year 8 Berwick Camp, Berwick
  • Year 9 Camp Columba, Pukerau
  • Year 10 Tuatuku, The Catlins Area

Additionally, we offer Outdoor Education as a senior module course. These courses offer credits which contribute to students' respective National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). In this module, students get out and about each week to participate in either hiking, surfing or kayaking sessions. Additionally, Year 12 and 13 students are offered an opportunity to participate in an annual ski camp at either the Cardrona or Coronet ski field. 

Lastly, Year 11, 12 and 13 students are offered the opportunity to complete a multi-day tramp on a Great Walk of New Zealand. This is offered at the beginning of each year. Currently, the Great Walks offered are either the Kepler, Rakiura or Routeburn.