Tēnā koutou katoa. We are nearing the end of term two 2019, and what a jam packed term it has been!

One hundred of our Year Ten students have just completed their education outside the classroom learning experience at Boyle River Education Centre.

Week Seven of Term Two from the 11th until the 14th of June classes Rs, Bu and Pl set out to complete their first outdoor education experience, followed by Hh and Ak on week eight.

Students arrived at Boyle River around Tuesday lunch time. Their first activities consisted of team building skills followed by a night line walk blind folded through the forest or the solo challenge. Most students were brave enough to face solo for around 40 minutes to an hour. Fortunately, both camps had clear skies and it was easy to see in the dark, even without a torch.

Wednesday was a long day for the majority of our students. They had three new learning experiences. One was an all day tramp lasting from 9am till 6pm, they even had to light a fire and cook their own food! No excuses for not cooking dinner for the family back home now.

The second activity was the "flying kiwi" team high ropes course, this was particularly challenging for some students who have acrophobia, commonly known as a fear of heights. They all did extremely well and worked together to effectively accomplish the task. Lastly came the “swamp challenge”, students were given three planks of wood to get their whole team across without falling in. This tested the students' ability to communicate, think strategically, and cope under pressure. The fastest teams took under an hour, and some teams took up to three hours. 

Wednesday night we completed the Boyle River team quiz run by Mr Kane and Mr Daines. The questions consisted of information about Boyle River location and history, as well as New Zealand bird life and classic kiwiana songs. On camp one & two “team teachers” took out the first place spot! No cheating involved whatsoever, I swear.

Thursday started off early, with an amazing race challenge. Students participated in a collection of small tasks placed around the Boyle Lodge, including; orienteering, team building and the high rope ladder. Before departure all students cleaned the entire Lodge, making them accountable for their own bathrooms, bunk rooms and use of kitchen and lounge areas. We left Boyle River around 12.30pm, and half an hour into the bus ride home most students were fast asleep.

Overall, every student had an enjoyable and memorable time at Boyle River Camp. Hopefully all Year 10's have taken away with them a few resiliency skills taught within each activity and led by the wonderful outdoor education instructors; Devin, Ally, Sarah, Natasha just to name a few. A special mention to all of our student leaders and cooks, camp would not have been possible without you, and we know the huge sacrifice you make in order to attend these camps so thank you!

For the last two weeks of Term Two Year 10’s will be needing to finalise their options for semester 2. If they are wanting to change they need to email myself at sp@hornby.school.nz before the end of week 9, 30th June. Rest up, spend some quality time with friends and family and enjoy the holidays.