Have you ever thought that how to light a fire should be taught in English? Ever wondered if you could get English credits from knowing how to build a shelter? What about making a flax rope? This year the English Dept have themed most of the NCEA English Courses - and Level 1 Survival English is actually a “thing”.

On Thursday 31 March Tanya Laybourn took her English class to Karangahake Gorge to learn some basic bush survival skills. They hiked up the Waitawheta River to Dickey’s Flat Adventure Campsite and met Stu Gilbert from “SOS Survival Training”. They then embarked on an afternoon packed with activities that may one day may mean they can successfully endure an unexpected night (or two) in the wilderness.

The class has already explored the idea of surviving a physically challenging situation somewhere remote through creative writing, and had been investigating what common themes were found in stories and experiences of those who survived extreme outdoor catastrophes - both fictional and real-life dramas. 

Thursday was about exploring practical survival skills in the outdoors. Splitting wood for a fire, using a slingshot, making flax into a strong rope, what should go in a survival kit, building shelters, tying knots and lighting fires. 

Once back in the classroom the class will gain credits for Level 1 NCEA English by using these experiences to write a review of the day, write a “how-to” set of instructions and explain what should go in a survival kit and why.

Experiential learning in the beautiful Kaimais - not a bad way to spend the day. Thanks also to Andrew Tilby (HOD English) for giving up a day at school with his classes to hang with this class and support their learning. 

Here's what the students had to say:

"I can slingshot like a god!"

"The best thing was the knot tying"

"I loved being outside all day"

"Survival is 50% common sense"

"It felt very adventurous"

"The most useful thing was fire lighting"

"It made me happy when I tried something over and over again - and then I got it right!"