EOTC
E.O.T.C. at Tauraroa Area School
Education outside the classroom at Tauraroa Area School is unique, in that every student in the school from Year 1 -13 experiences an overnight trip at least once a year. This opportunity to be with peers and away from parents from such a young age promotes independence, confidence and leadership qualities from an early age, which benefits all students as they mature through the school.
Tauraroa Area School offers a comprehensive outdoor education programme that is sequential in nature, beginning with fixed camps and leading to tenting and tramping in bush settings with water experiences. The programme seeks to develop leadership potential of senior students as well as developing initiative, sensible personal risk management skills and self-reliance in all students.
The following camps are offered:
Years 1-4
Bush / Water camp experiences at Tangihua Lodge or One Tree Point Camp at Marsden Bay
Tangihua Lodge is a wonderful facility only 10 minutes drive from Tauraroa Area School. Set in the middle of the Tangihua Mountain Ranges, this camp offers the younger children opportunities of lush bush walks and wondrous stream studies with the added bonus of having a fantastic adventure playground / obstacle course.
Marsden Bay is set near the beach at One Tree Point. This is a lovely camp site (http://www.marsdenbay.co.nz/) with great facilities for young and old.
The little ones go for one night while the Year 3 & 4s go for 2 nights of action packed fun.
Years 5-6
Water-based activities at Lonsdale Park / Cooper’s Beach Camp
Once in the senior part of the Primary, the students head further afield to either Lonsdale Park or Cooper’s Beach. Both camps boast wonderful facilities and activities – kayaking, flying fox, water slides, snorkelling, tramping, adventure obstacle courses and swimming. The children are away for four nights and experience a combination of bush and beach activities.
Year 7 Marae Experience at Rawhiti
This year group travel to the beautiful Bay of Islands to enjoy a marae based camp, which focuses on tikanga with the added bonus of beach activities and fun thrown into the mix.
Year 8 Urban Based camp in Auckland
Year 8 head down to Auckland for an urban experience and spend a night at Kelly Tarlton’s and visit several museums.
Year 9 Kai Iwi Lakes – Bush and water camp experience
Year 9 students head west to Kai Iwi Lakes to enjoy the camping experience. This camp is often regaled, by Year 13 students leaving the school, as one of the abiding memories of Tauraroa Area School. The campfire songs, stories and jokes coupled with the frenetic bush and water activities like mountain biking, water-skiing, and kayaking all leave an indelible, lasting memory for this group of campers.
Year 10 O.P.C.
Tauraroa Area School provides an annual trip to the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Center of New Zealand (OPC) for our Year ten students. This event provides a unique opportunity for students to increase personal confidence and awareness through group activities and enjoyment, while learning skills in a controlled and safe outdoor environment.
Activities, depending on availability, which students may participate in while at OPC include caving, tramping, bush-craft, snow-craft, snow-sports, abseiling, rock-climbing, high/low ropes, orienteering and overnight camping.
Year 11 Mangawhai
While on camp, students participate in a variety of activities during the day and NCEA focused seminars in the evening. The intention is to develop positive relationships with the Year 11 cohort and provide greater preparation for NCEA Level One.
Year 12 Manaia Baptist Camp – Leadership Training
In Term 1, our Year 12 students get the opportunity to attend a camp at the Manaia Baptist Camp on Whangarei harbour. They work to complete their Workplace First Aid qualification, further develop their career planning that started in Year 11 and have great team-building and leadership opportunities, especially on the water!
Year 13 Tongariro National Park – Tongariro Crossing
This Year 13 students are off to the Tongariro National Park. During their week long camp they will undertake the Tongariro Crossing, one of our most spectacular scenic walks.
Other E.O.T.C. Field Trips:
In 2013, Year 12 Geography students had the opportunity to investigate transport patterns in Auckland and the contemporary geographic issue around the future of the baches on Rangitoto.
Year 11 Geography students go to Muriwai or Rotorua at the end of Term 3.
Year 12 Biology students visit Waipu beach for their field trip.
In the past, Year 13 students have planned and completed a trip to Waitomo as part of their Tourism studies. Year 12 & 13 students have many more opportunities throughout the year – being invited on field trips related to Graphics, Design, Art, Sports, Social Studies, languages and culture.
