Saint Kentigern Boys' School | Education Outside Classroom

Education Outside the Classroom takes many forms from the traditional camps in Years 4-8 to trips to a variety of local, national and international settings all designed to enhance and integrate curricular learning.

EOTC is a generic term used to describe curriculum-based learning and teaching that extends the four walls of the classroom. Taking place in school grounds, in local community or in regions further afield, it can range from a museum or marae visit to a sports trip, an outdoor education camp, a field trip to the rocky shore, or a visit to practise another language.

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There is much to be gained from these experiences beyond the school gates.

These ventures help put learning into a real-life context. They encourage our boys to develop confidence and self-awareness, enhancing personal growth and interpersonal relationships. We use a range high quality resources, organisations and environments to create these unique experiences.

Junior School

The Junior School EOTC programme focuses on exposing the boys to a variety of cross curricular activities, to enhance their understanding of the world around them. These experiences underpin and support classroom learning and inquiry. Trips include: Sky Tower, Auckland Museum and a beach excursion in Year 3.

Lifelong skills are developed throughout the Junior School years, blending the different subject areas to enhance learning experiences. In the school environment, other experiences have included visits from Police, St Johns, the fire brigade, speakers, story tellers and performers.

Middle School

Through the EOTC programmes, boys develop their social, physical and emotional skills, while facing challenges that develop their resilience, perseverance and confidence.

Year 4
Classes spend four days and three nights at Peter Snell Youth Village in Whangaparaoa. The boys experience pursuits such as kayaking, climbing, archery, and team-building exercises. For many, this is the first time away from home for an extended period.

Year 5

Classes spend a week at The Marine Education and Recreation Centre (MERC) located on Auckland’s North Shore. The focus for this camp is water based and the boys are given opportunities to explore the marine environment. Activities include kayaking, surfing, marine education, abseiling, rock climbing, confidence and team-building pursuits. All activities are led by professionally qualified instructors.

Year 6
Year 6 rise to the challenges of a week’s camp at Kauaeranga Valley Christian Camp. The highlights include kayaking, archery, target shooting, BMX riding, go-karting and a challenging overnight tramp where boys take responsibility to carry all their own supplies for the two days

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Senior School

In the Senior School, there is a camp week for all the Year 7 and 8 boys early in Term 1. The boys are given opportunities to gain independence and a significant emphasis is placed on the growth of self-esteem, development of relationships and confidence gained through challenges. The boys will also get a variety of other experiences throughout the year, each one designed to promote a love of the outdoors, enhance learning and create shared experiences.

Year 7
Classes spend a week at Whangarei Heads, as this is a big intake year the camp serves many purposes. The primary objective of this week is to create bonds and relationships between the current students and the new intake of boys at Year 7. The camp is designed to challenge the boys with mainly land-based activities such as bushcraft, orienteering, kayaking, outdoor cooking, tent camping and hiking. In Term 4 boys participate in a Leadership Camp in a local regional park.

Year 8
In term 1 Classes spend a week at Hillary Outdoors in Tongariro National park. This camp is the pinnacle experience in out EOTC program. Students are challenged physically and mentally across arrange of outdoor experiences. Independence, resilience and personal responsibility are key learning outcomes. The pursuits are designed to challenge the boys and are a culmination of all their camp experiences at the Boys’ School. The students also get the opportunity to participate in service trips to Vanuatu, Fiji and local parks and organisations.