A great reflection of Horomaka's values in action

Over the past three weeks, 200 plus Year 9 Hillmorton High School students have enjoyed their annual 3-day camp at Orton Bradley, located in the stunning Banks Peninsula (our playground right on our doorstep). This experience is a true reflection of Hillmorton’s core values - Turangawaewae, Whanaungatanga, Mana and Ako and really supports the transition for new students from our key contributing schools.  With the disruptions of 2020 and many students so disappointed to miss out on this event last year, Autumn 2021 turned it on for a truly memorable camping experience for all. 

The Year 9 class camps are an integral part of Hillmorton students growth and it is becoming renowned for strengthening relationships across the school along with some unique, yet traditional kiwi outdoor experiences such as mountain biking, kayaking, orienteering, bush walks and cooking up some pancakes on the portable gas cookers to name just a few.

We are incredibly grateful to have the support of the local Halswell Lions Club who generously delivered fresh school lunches, fruit and camp supplies daily. Furthermore, the local Boys Brigade Club generously loaned their Gaga Dodgeball Pit which proved to be a huge hit. It is organisations like these that make such opportunities possible. It was also pretty special to have the Senior Year 12 students prepare the meals and desserts as part of their NCEA Hospitality course alongside the Year 11 Outdoor Education students who displayed some amazing leadership. 

These opportunities provided such authentic learning for our seniors and they really stepped up.

Some of the key highlights were seeing students step outside their comfort zone, whether it was taking on the High Ropes course, the Flying Kiwi or navigating the Purau Coasteering course and jumping off ‘Chahu Rock’, the 2021 Year 9 camp at Orton Bradley provided some truly memorable moments for our young people and it certainly is something for students to look forward to in Year 9.