The Burnside High School November Programme is a wonderful opportunity for international students to experience the very best of what our school and region has to offer. Over a period of three weeks, all international students not studying for NCEA exams, will experience an assortment of exciting activities. One week will involve a trip away travelling around the top of the South Island. The two remaining weeks will include activities in and around Christchurch.

When: The November Programme starts when our domestic students go on study leave for NCEA exams, around the start of November. It goes for three weeks.

Who: All international students not studying for NCEA exams. Accompanying the international students will be three BHS teachers and two employees from Smylies Tours, our trusted travel company.

Cost: For the week away - the accommodation, transport and meals come at no charge but special additional options like: whale watching and swimming with the dolphins come at a cost to the student. Free options will always be offered for all. Christchurch based activities come at no cost to our students.

What Will You Do?

One week of our November Programme involves a trip away on an organised tour. Activities could include:

• Seeing the seal colony

• Whale watching/swimming with the dolphins/coastal walk

• Sea kayaking

• Walking part of the Abel Tasman

• Flying Fox - High wire course

• Whitewater Rafting (Grade 3)

• Paintball

• Go Karts

The other two weeks of the programme are spent doing organised activities around Christchurch and at school.

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Need more Info:Contact the International Director at rsc@burnside.school.nz

More details below

Top of the South Tour - (a typical itinerary)

Departure:

We usually leave on a Monday morning, mid November

Our pickup will be at Burnside High School outside the Aurora Centre

Please make sure you are on time.

Return:

We will return to Christchurch on the Friday, arriving back at school around 5 to 6 pm. Please let your homestay families know to pick you up. You can text them the exact time we are arriving once we get to Waipara (about 1 hour before Christchurch).

Accommodation:

Kaikoura - Dusky Lodge Kaikoura, 67 Beach Rd, ph 03 319 5959

Nelson – Accents Nelson (Previously Nelson YHA), 59 Rutherford St, Nelson, ph 03 545 9988

Travel:

33 seat bus with trailer

Bring:

Remember that we will be sea kayaking, rafting (grade 3 ) and walking on this trip so prepare well.

Warm clothing for 4 days, soft bags only 10kg max. No suitcases, please

Towels x2, Toothbrush & Toiletries

Sun protection,

Wind protection,

Rain protection,

Good walking shoes & jandals / slippers for the hostel

Swim ware and extra towel– you will need it when we go rafting and kayaking.

Polypro to keep you warm if you get wet rafting or kayaking.

Water Bottle.

Small day pack with shoulder straps for the Abel Tasman hike

Insect repellent if you have any

Music for in the bus

Money for lunches and souvenirs for your home stay families. They will love you for it.

Don’t bring:

Anything that will get you into trouble. You know what I mean! Any student caught with vaping products, cigarettes or alcohol will get a flight back to Christchurch and an invoice of $1000.

Day 1 - Travel north to Kaikoura where we stop and stay overnight. Students have the option of: whale watching, swimming with the dolphins or coastal walk at the seal colony

Day 2 - we continue on through Blenheim and the Marlborough Sounds arriving at Nelson - We stay at Accents Nelson. We do the iconic Abell Tasman experience.

Day 3 – We drive through to Marahau where we sea kayak with Kahu Kayaks to a beautiful bay along the Abel Tasman walkway (70km – 1 hour)

We split into 2 groups with Group 1 walking and Group 2 kayaking first. After lunch we swap and head back to Marahau

Day 4 - Options Day at Cable Bay Adventure Park (20km – 30 minutes). Try the Skywire flying fox, paintball, or just a relaxing day exploring Nelson. Staying at the Accent Nelson

Day 5 – We start our last day early and head to Murchison to experience white-water rafting on the mighty Buller River (130km – 2 hours). Ultimate Descents rivers.co.nz is our rafting company. After rafting and a quick lunch we head back to Christchurch via Culverden (300km – 4 hours). We should have you back at school around 5.30pm