Year 10 Aoraki Adventure Camp 2024

Year 10's Epic Week at Aoraki/Mount Cook

The Year 10 students have just wrapped up an awesome week away in Aoraki/Mount Cook, and what a week it was! From stunning hikes to epic outdoor adventures, everyone had an unforgettable time. Here's a look at what went down.

Magnificent Monday
The week kicked off with the famous Hooker Valley Track. The students were all in great spirits and absolutely smashed the trail, finishing it in record time! Along the way, they crossed some cool swing bridges, felt the wind in their faces, and even got a close look at icebergs floating in the glacial lake. After the hike, they headed back to Glentanner for a delicious lasagne dinner, which everyone enjoyed.

Terrific Tuesday
On day two, the group got up early and headed to Tekapo for a full day of fun. We were lucky to have perfect weather. First up was a kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding session with Pete from Paddle Tekapo. The students paddled around the lake for about 1.5 hours, with plenty of splashing, capsizing, and even some swimming! The water was chilly but refreshing, and everyone had a blast. Afterward, we had lunch by the lake before heading to the Tekapo hot pools to relax. There was also some mini-golf played for a bit of extra fun. The day wrapped up with a shared lunch from the local food truck, Monsta Kitchen, which was a huge hit with everyone.

Working hard Wednesday
Wednesday was the big challenge of the week – the Sealy Tarns hike. This involved climbing 2,200 steep stairs, gaining 600 meters in elevation, but the students took it all in stride! The fastest student made it to the top in around 45 minutes. Everyone was super supportive of each other, and there were no complaints. After the hike, we refuelled with some baking (lots of baking!) before heading back to base. Later in the day, the students took part in a “MasterChef” challenge. They got into teams, hopped in vans to Twizel to grab ingredients, and then returned to cook up a storm. The quality of food was unreal, with full menus that included everything from Italian dishes to Kiwi-inspired meals. The winning team – Yiquin, Matthew, Heath, Avana, and Jess – served up a delicious poke bowl with spring rolls and moochi mango for dessert. The judges were seriously impressed!

Time to go home Thursday
To finish off the week, we did some stargazing, followed by some starlit yoga. It was a peaceful way to reflect on the amazing adventures we'd had and to wind down before heading home.

Overall, the Year 10s were absolutely awesome all week – great attitudes, plenty of energy, and loads of fun. A massive thanks to the teachers, David Sole and Richard McNaught, as well as parent helper Jack Dummer for making the trip so memorable. And of course, thanks to all the parents and caregivers who supported the trip. We’ve created some epic memories that will last forever!