Education Outside the Classroom

Tēnei te aumihi nui ki a koutou,

A very warm welcome back to all of our students and supporting whānau for the beginning of the 2025 school year. It has been a fantastic start with lots of activity both inside and outside the classroom and this has set a positive tone for the term. More than ever, there is a real focus on localising our curriculum as part of the new curriculum refresh. I am pleased to say that Raukura is well positioned to maximise learning opportunities outside the classroom so watch this space!

Year 9 “Tāne Raukura” Camp

Our Year 9s are about to depart for Tāne Raukura camp at Waiotapu. 

The Year 9 ‘Tāne Raukura’ camp has a long standing tradition here at Raukura and is one of many carefully designed experiences to support the growth and development of our new Year 9 students. 

The aim of the camp is to reconnect with nature, embrace a challenge, foster and develop relationships, celebrate the beginning of the year, and set goals and aspirations as these young men move forward into their first year of secondary school.

Inherent in these aims is the opportunity to begin the process of embedding of our school values

Pūmau - Be strong of character

Kapo Huanga - Takes Opportunities

Whakaatu ngārahutanga - Demonstrate leadership

Upoko pakaru - Display commitment

Hirangatanga -  Strive for excellence

Whakaute - Show respect

Camp 1 Monday, 17 March - Wednesday, 19 March Kōwhai & Kahikatea

Camp 2 Wednesday, 19 March- Friday, 21 March Nīkau & Kauri 

Camp 3 Monday, 24 March - Wednesday, 26 March Maire & Mataī

Camp 4 Wednesday, 26 March - Friday, 28 March Rātā & Rimu 

Camp 5 Monday, 31 March - Wednesday, 2 April Kānuka & Tōtara

Camp 6 Wednesday, 2 April - Friday, 4 April Mānuka & Tānekaha

Activities

All students will have an opportunity to experience the following activities:

• Flat water raft challenges & swimming - Lake Rerewhakaaitu

• Mountain Biking - The Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest

• Summit Hike - Mt Kākaramea (Rainbow Mountain)

• Fire lighting, camp cooking, overnight bivy 

• Geothermal Pools - Kerosene Creek, Burma Trail

• Haka Practice

• Adventure Based Learning - team games and challenges

I look forward to sharing the efforts and pictures of our new students in the next newsletter.

Senior Leaders- Prefect Camp

In the week before school started this term our 2025 Prefects attended a Leadership Camp at Waiotapu. The camp objectives were to develop leadership skills and deepen connections within the 2025 Prefect Team. 

This was to be achieved by setting personal and group leadership goals with action plans, and to participate in training in order to support the following school initiatives in 2025;

• Year 9 Tāne Raukura Camp

• Year 13 Te Wero

• School Tabloids and House Competition

The camp schedule included mountain bike and raft training, a summit of Mt Tarawera and the Prefects also managed to squeeze in an overnight canoe journey on Lake Rerewhakaaitu.

A real highlight was an evening leadership workshop attended by our new Tumuaki, Matua John Kendal, Deputy Principals, Heads of Houses and the Year 13 Dean. It was a wonderful evening where our prefects got to share a meal with Senior Management and participate in conversations and activities all targeted at supporting our Prefects to develop their leadership potential. 

This group of young men have already made a great first impression since returning from camp and I look forward to seeing their involvement and positive influence throughout the year.

Ngā mihi

Jonathan Taylor