EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) is defined as all those events that occur outside the classroom, both on- and off-site, including all curriculum, sporting, and cultural activities. It also includes overseas trips.
The school's EOTC activities support and enhance the New Zealand Curriculum.
Students learn through experiences appropriate to their needs and environment. Students need a variety of experiences for maximum development, and should be given opportunities to explore and learn from the world outside the classroom.
E.O.T.C PROGRAMMES
Education Outside the Classroom programmes are provided for all children in the school. We run an outdoor education programme annually in the senior school. The Junior School often has a school or local based outdoor education programme or day trips out of the school. These programmes do incur a cost. Please see the Principal if this is of concern to you and your family.
EXCURSIONS/ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Being a rural school we rely heavily on parent support for supervision and transport. This support is greatly appreciated to ensure our country children have a wide range of learning experiences. All children are asked to wear full school uniform including shoes unless a note comes home to the contrary. We follow the NZ Transport safety regulations when transporting in cars – especially the government car seat rules.
To ensure the safety of all concerned during school trips we require a high standard of behaviour on excursions. We also ask that parents do not buy/give the children travelling in their car sugary treats, such as ice creams and sweets as many parents do not approve.
Children who receive support from special education services or those with special needs (medical, educational, capability) may have a lower adult /student ratio or a negotiated 1:1 with an adult known to the child. This will be determined through timely consultation, between the teacher in charge, parent or caregiver based on the identified risks within the specific EOTC environment. These risks will be noted in the Risk Analysis and Management form (RAMs) developed by the teachers or facility visited. The final decision will be determined by the principal to encompass the safety of all children and adults.
For overnight camps all parents are police vetted.
EOTC programmes, events, activities, and experiences:
enhance learning, through a variety of well-designed, first-hand experiences
provide experiences for students that encourage awareness of the values and philosophies of the tangata whenua, and with other cultures within the school community
increase students' knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the school area, local district, and other familiar and unfamiliar places
promote ecological awareness and personal responsibility towards the environment
develop students' skills in observation, recording, and organisation
help students develop self-confidence and a sense of adventure
assist students in their social development by placing them with others in unfamiliar situations
help students develop an attitude of responsibility, particularly towards their own safety and that of others
provide students with opportunities to work together in a group.
follow Ministry of Education regulations and guidelines on safety and supervision, risk management, leadership, and legal requirements
ensure adequate ongoing training for all staff involved in EOTC, including support staff attending approved workshops, seminars, courses and training, and assessment schemes.
EOTC programmes provide students with access to hands-on experiences that are not available inside the classroom. They offer unique and stimulating learning opportunities that support your child’s learning and achievement.
These programmes are aligned with the National Curriculum.
These pages suggest ways you can assist your child’s school to maximise learning and safety during EOTC experiences.
Browse these links to find: