THE KRISTIN EXPERIENCE
Middle School Adventure Days A classic quote by John Lubbock perceptively stated “Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountains and the sea are excellent schoolmasters, and teach of us more than we can ever learn from books.” Over a century after Lubbock’s comments, at Kristin School we do not underestimate the value of Outdoor Education in providing young people with the opportunity to grow and develop, personally and socially. As well as offering our students Outdoor Education as a curriculum option, in February each year every Middle and Senior School student and staff member embark on Camp Week at various scenic locations across New Zealand. Friendships are established and strengthened; essential ‘soft skills’ of cooperation, teamwork, leadership, adaptability and problem-solving are enhanced; and a curiosity and appreciation of protecting and caring for our environment are fostered. Alas, this year, COVID-19 curtailed our annual Camp plans. As an alternative, in testimony to our commitment to providing a holistic range of educational experiences, Kristin Middle School hosted an Outdoor Adventure Day for each year level in conjunction with the outdoor provider Bigfoot Adventures. Kristin is privileged to have a beautiful campus backing onto Lucas Creek. The opportunity to use our extensive grounds and immediate environment during a school day was an essential component of this experience. As Year 10 student Leisha explained, “We didn’t let COVID beat us; we still got to enjoy camp right here on Kristin’s grounds!”
as well as outdoor first aid, “My highlight? Learning how to tie a sling and make one out of your jersey” (Alys). Meanwhile, for Year 9, their Outdoor Adventure Day was about providing “a great way to catalyse our friendships” (Imogen). In addition, Adventure-Based Learning games helped “develop a stronger sense of connection with the year level” and rewarded “good teamwork” among coaching groups . And finally, all of our Year 10 students had the opportunity to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Training Day. “We got to do some fun activities like navigation and orienteering, rope tying, bivouac building, packing a tramping bag, and we even managed to cook our lunch on a portable stove using gas cans!” (Leisha). Focusing on the skills and knowledge required for the DOfE Adventurous Journey, the Year 10’s day provided a means of self-discovery, increasing self-confidence and helping enhance values and ideals as responsible citizens of the world.
“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, teach of us more than we can ever learn from books.”
Although our Middle School students were unable to traverse the Tongariro Crossing or surf at Raglan this year – arguably iconic New Zealand outdoor experiences – they were able to enjoy and J O H N LU B B O C K discover our own beautiful backyard. Any opportunity to appreciate nature “reminds us that we are part of something bigger” (Ben PalmerAs a brand new cohort, Year 7’s primary focus was Fry), and, for many of our students, it deepened their on social connections. Students participated in various sense of belonging and connection to Kristin at the beginning of a activities in their tutor classes, ranging from mountain biking new school year. to archery, and making bivvy shelters to rock climbing our own Kristin climbing wall. Akaal summed up the experience perfectly, What’s more, amid a COVID-19 pandemic and disturbing images “Adventure Day was so much fun as we got to try so many new of war in Ukraine, for our young people to be outside and things. I was so pleased that my class was the overall winner but, immersed in nature away from devices, “it grounds us, calms us” more importantly, we made new friends.” (Ben Palmer-Fry). With Year 8 participating in the William Pike Award this year, their focus was on developing skills to survive outdoors. As a result, the year level came away from their Outdoor Adventure Day far more knowledgeable about bush survival, pack making and “...how to tie a bunch of different knots and to pitch a perfect tent” (Kara),
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Deborah Plummer A S S I S TA N T P R I N C I PA L , M I D D L E S C H O O L
