A vital part of this is using the wide variety of facilities we have access to, both on and off the school campus, to provide your child with the resources they need to succeed.

From the use of our Orohaki outdoor education facility, to the community library that is housed within our school property, and the integration of technology around the school, we can provide an environment that will stimulate and enrich learning for our diverse student population.

As students progress through the school our comprehensive careers programme can provide practical pathways for the future.

The programme gives students the opportunity to gain valuable real life and workplace experiences.

OROHAKI OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRE

Riccarton High School is very fortunate to have its own outdoor education facility at Birch Hill in North Canterbury.

Year 9 and 10 students engage in a programme that provides the opportunity to develop self-confidence, team and leadership skills in an outdoor education setting that is facilitated by specialists.

The programme is a compulsory part of the school curriculum and it serves us well in helping to develop well-rounded individuals. Often, our graduates refer to the outdoor education experience as the highlight of their time at Riccarton High School.

This property includes a main lodge with kitchen, living and bathroom facilities, alongside sleeping facilities for 24 people, and includes 1.3 hectares of land, ⅓ of this in protected native bush, bordering Department of Conservation land.

LIBRARY

The school’s unique partnership with the Christchurch City Council has created a state-of-the-art school/community joint-use library on our Main South Road boundary.

This wonderful asset increases the learning opportunities for our students by giving them access to not only excellent study facilities, but also an extensive range of printed and electronic resources, two dedicated school librarians and the expertise of City Council staff.

The library is also very well utilised by a range of community groups looking for meeting spaces and a venue to host a range of activities, benefiting both the public and the school.

Follow this link to find out what's happening at the library.

BLENDED LEARNING AND BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE (BYOD)

At Riccarton High School, we firmly believe the best approach is blended learning, where the primary focus is on the learning rather than the tools used to deliver it.

Blended learning draws from many teaching styles such as group work, discussion and presentation.

Digital tools support this rich learning environment through collaboration, feedback and access to varied media.

An internet capable device is now an important part of a student’s toolkit, giving them access to unlimited resources and enabling them to support, extend, collaborate and share their learning in a way that prepares them for the future.

Follow this link for more details on blended learning and BYOD (bring your own device).

Message from the Principal, Neil Haywood