After some enforced time indoors during lockdown, our Outdoor Education department have been keen to get back amongst it. Enjoy the stunning scenery captured in their photos and read on to find out what our intrepid students have been up to.

Level 1 Outdoor Education

“It has been a busy term in the Outdoor Education department. We had three different level 1 Outdoor Education classes exploring the beautiful Richmond Ranges over three days, near the end of Term 2. Students covered over 25 km of rugged ultramafic landscape. They tramped through rich broad leaf Podocarp forest, Beech forests, over the Dun Saddle and along the Hackett and Pelorus rivers.

All the groups slept under flysheets and learnt valuable lessons on the importance of having a well-made shelter in order to have a warm sleep. Many students cooked their meals over the fire or on penny stoves they constructed in class. All groups enjoyed roasting marshmallows and telling stories around the glow of the fire. Kai Pai Level 1 Outdoor Education. You showed great teamwork and leadership throughout the three days.”

Sally Josenhans - Outdoor Education teacher

Year 10 Pelorus Haerenga (journey) - Establishing knowledge and connection is the foundation of our well being.

“Both Year 10 Outdoor Education classes spent a night in the Kahikatea and Tawa forests, nestled in the Pelorus valley, learning about the environment and perfecting their bush craft skills. 

Students relished the adventure and challenge of sleeping in simple shelters, cooking on fires and working as a team to be comfortable and safe in a challenging environment. Particular highlights included off track navigation (“bush bashing”,) leadership, whittling spoons and making the most of this unique opportunity.”

Ashley Whitehead - Outdoor Education teacher

International  Kahurangi camp

It was an exciting time in mid-June for a group of our international students, as they spent three days in Kahurangi National Park. For many of these students, it was a last chance to sample some kiwi scenery before they returned to their home countries.

Brazilian student, Joao Poli Cury, found the experience to be unlike anything he had done before and a great learning experience.

“I learnt lot about teamwork and just the experience of going tramping. I’ve never done anything like that before - going tramping with a big backpack and having to to prepare for a trip like that,” Joao said.

Joao found the New Zealand environment to be dramatically different to what he was used to back in his home country.

“I’m from a big city in Brazil – it is one of the bigger cities in the world, so we don’t have this contact with nature that I am having here. I think because of the environment, we don’t have hills and mountains like this. It is quite different. Brazil is a tropical country, whereas here is quite temperate,” he explained.

“One of the reasons I choose Nelson for my exchange was because it has lots of national parks around. It was one of the reasons I choose New Zealand. My favourite part of my stay in New Zealand has been the trips and camps.”