The Year 11 Physical Education class completed an activities day that challenged each of the students.

In order to complete the practical components of the achievement standard -‘Using Self Management Strategies in Outdoor Activities’, the two Year 11 Physical Education classes headed north to Washdyke and Timaru to participate in rock-climbing, adventure-based learning activities, and orienteering.

At Centennial Park in Timaru the challenge was to work together in groups to collect points in an orienteering course and then, also in groups, work co-operatively to solve several problem activities. The class was ably facilitated by Peel Forest Outdoors staff who related solving problems to life’s challenges.

Just out of Timaru, the class was challenged by several climbs on a rock face at Spur Road behind Washdyke. The students made a great effort and used their chosen self-management strategies to complete climbs at a level higher than they had done before in the Rec Centre.

These activities challenged the whole class to overcome their fears and use strategies to help them achieve success. The group made a fantastic effort to complete the activities showing remarkable resilience and determination. Hopefully, they have learned just how much they are capable of if they push themselves out of their comfort zones and can now apply that to other areas of school and their lives to help them reach their potential.