2025
EOTC
EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Where will EOTC take your students in 2025?
By Gemma Easton , Editor
Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) is highly valued in Aotearoa New Zealand.
A report issued by Ara Institute of Canterbury found that EOTC was very or extremely important to 96 percent of national survey respondents. Kaiako, tamariki, and school leaders said EOTC contributed to student engagement, curriculum connection and real-world learning; provided experiences for students they may not otherwise have had; and built connections and relationships within and between students, teachers, and communities.
The report identified, however, that some students found the social and sensory nature of
outdoor learning overwhelming. Educators must be aware, then, that not all students naturally experience benefits from EOTC, and that EOTC outcomes do not always organically develop from an experience.
The Ministry now encourages schools to engage in Enriching Local Curriculum (ELC) activities, partnering with community organisations to draw on local resources and expertise to provide students with authentic, hands-on/minds-on learning experiences. ELC might include a visit to the local wildlife park to complement learning on animal habitat and conservation, or a trip to the local marae to learn about tikanga. ELC experiences are not divided into subjects and should support broad curriculum outcomes.
The Ministry of Education
provides guidelines for schools planning external learning. Activities should also align with your school’s policies and procedures, and facilitators should be aware of the school’s emergency management plan.
Inspiration for your 2025 EOTC adventures
Auckland Philharmonia’s Learn and Participate team provide accessible opportunities for all Aucklanders to experience live orchestral music. Every year Auckland Philharmonia provides a vast range of affordable school programmes for akōnga of all ages and abilities. For secondary schools, The Discovery Concert at Auckland Town Hall in Term 2 is a specialised concert for secondary school students with an interest in music. The programme is a curated
selection of important orchestral works, with a fun and interactive presentation to guide your students through the historical and compositional significance of each piece.
For Primary and Intermediate Schools in Term 3, students can enjoy Link Up at Due Drop Events Centre. Teachers are provided with resources to teach their students to play and sing selected songs, to finally perform with the Auckland Phil in a spectacular interactive concert.
For Intermediate and Secondary students, also in Term 3, Play In South at Due Drop Events Centre will see beginner and intermediate instrumental students sit within the Auckland Phil to workshop famous repertoire and finetune their ensemble playing.
Image courtesy of Auckland Philharmonia
Kiwi Kapers in Term 4 will be held at Aotea Centre and Due Drop Events Centre. This epic hour-long concert is suited to primary and intermediate schools, introducing them to the sights and sounds of the orchestra. The concert features special guest performers and is jam-packed with fun and educational content.
Christian Youth Camps (CYC) off er exceptional value for school groups by focusing on outdoor education, working with your school to build
strong, cohesive teams and programmes built around your school’s learning objectives.
CYC provide a range of activities designed to enhance leadership skills, teamwork, and personal development through engaging outdoor experiences.
Your school can benefi t from well-structured activities such as crate climbing, team building, bush walks, ziplining, BMX, and much more, all tailored to meet educational objectives and age-specific needs.
Bring your ākonga to experience the full Auckland Philharmonia in these educational concerts!
Secondary Schools
DISCOVERY Tues 20 May, Auckland Town Hall
Primary & Intermediate Schools
LINK UP FREE Tues 2 Sept, Due Drop Events Centre
KIWI KAPERS CENTRAL Thur 23 Oct, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre
KIWI KAPERS SOUTH Fri 24 Oct, Due Drop Events Centre
Image courtesy of Christian Youth Camps
Image courtesy of Christian Youth Camps
The team at CYC aim to emphasise building camaraderie and resilience among students, helping them develop essential life skills while enjoying an immersive environment, surrounded by well-maintained grounds, buildings, and excellent catering options. By integrating these activities into your curriculum, your school can achieve a high return on investment through improved student engagement, enhanced group dynamics, and a focus on developing hauora. Christian Youth Camps delivers a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience that supports educational goals and fosters a strong sense of community within school groups.
Spanning 185 hectares of open space, Orana Wildlife Park is home to New Zealand’s only gorillas and is globally recognised for its contributions to breeding programs for endangered exotic and native species.
The park’s dedicated education team create bespoke programmes tailored to align
with specific curriculum learning outcomes provided by classroom teachers, providing a personalised approach to ensure that each visit is enriching and bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.
real-life contexts. The team are committed to nurturing a deeper understanding of the natural world and inspiring tamariki to be kaitiaki of the natural environment.
Located right on the waterfront, the Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony (OBPC) offers a special educational experience for students. Their popular school programme provides an immersive opportunity to learn about these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat, all in a single day.
To eliminate the need for schools to undertake on-site risk assessments, Orana Wildlife Park provides its own RAMS documents to participating schools. The team can also provide preand post-visit assistance to enhance learning both before and after the park visit.
Learning takes place outside using the zoo as the classroom, providing students with an immersive experience as they observe incredible animals in a natural setting. Learners will observe a range of curriculum concepts including ecosystems, animal behaviours and conservation in action. Experienced educators interact with students, encouraging them to ask questions to foster their curiosity and help connect their studies to
During the daytime, students explore the colony under the guidance of experienced educators. Gaining insights on the penguins’ habitat, adaptations, and how they have responded to humaninduced changes, students will then observe penguins in their nests. As they learn from the colony’s top researchers, they will develop an understanding of the threats penguins face, and the conservation efforts needed to keep their population flourishing.
In the evening, the penguins return from a day foraging at sea. During the evening viewing, students listen to expert guides deliver informative commentary while observing the penguins and their fascinating behaviours as they return to their nests.
The OBPC school programme is an immersive learning experience that fosters a deep appreciation for the natural world and the importance of conservation. Including the OBPC school programme into your curriculum might inspire the next generation to pursue research and conservation.
Image courtesy of Orana Wildlife Park
Image courtesy of Tourism Waitaki
All students, whatever their interests, will come away with an enriching educational experience.
Stardome works to alleviate some of rangatahi’s stress, which can build from classwork, studying, and long hours in the library, by putting all their earth, space science, and physics knowledge into context.
A trip to Stardome aims to support the ākonga learning in the classroom by exploring the fundamental principles of astronomy, the wonders of space, and the preciousness of our Earth. The team want
rangatahi to ask the big questions – what else is out there? How far can we go? How did it all begin? All students will be encouraged to look up, feel small, but think big!
Depending on the year level, ākonga will enjoy activity-based learning in the classroom, time in the Space Gallery, and a planetarium learning experience in the 360-degree theatre. This immersive opportunity brings the concepts and ideas of astronomy and space exploration to life, giving context to what they are learning about back at school.
Image courtesy of Tourism Waitaki
Images courtesy of Stardome
Located an easy distance from Christchurch, Hanmer Springs is a great location for school trips and camps, with multiple accommodation and activity options. Hanmer Springs Attractions operates a range of activities for school groups to enjoy in the great outdoors. Activities are off ered from one central hub within easy access of the village with plenty of parking and space for lunch.
Available activities include jet boating (minimum age three years), Grade 2 river raft ing (minimum age six
years), bungy jumping, laser clay shooting and paintball (minimum age 10 years), and quad bike treks (minimum age 16 years). Multiple activities can be completed in a day.
Hanmer Springs Att ractions is the region’s premium adventure tourism company with a strong focus on health and safety, and is Qualmark Gold and AdventureMark accredited for top safety and operating practices.
Christchurch Attractions off ers multiple educational
Outdoor learning in Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs A ractions operates a range of fun adventures perfect for school groups to enjoy the outdoors.
Their action-packed jet boat rides o er plenty of thrills for all ages along with an informative commentary about the river and region. Children aged 6 and over can also experience the outdoors on a gentle river ra ing adventure while learning about the area and engaging in team building. The company also operates bungy jumping, laser clay
shooting and paintballing for guests 10 years and over, as well as quad bike treks for customers 16 years and over. Their central hub allows groups to easily take part in multiple activities and o ers plenty of space for lunch.
The health and safety of customers and sta is at the heart of their operation, and Hanmer Springs A ractions holds a Qualmark Gold award and AdventureMark for their top operating and safety practices.
experiences including the Christchurch Tram, Christchurch Gondola, Punting on the Avon and Botanic Gardens Tour.
The Christchurch Tram allows students to be transported between key sites in iconic heritage tramcars, while listening to informative live commentary about the city’s history and stories.
The Christchurch Gondola off ers a fantastic sightseeing experience of Christchurch and Canterbury. Walking tracks are available to see the local geology, or students can learn
about the region’s history and formation on a Discovery Ride. Catering options are available.
Enjoy the outdoors, see and learn about the river’s wildlife up close and see the plants of the Botanic Gardens while punting on the Avon. A Botanic Gardens Tour helps students learn about the Botanic Gardens with a guided tour on board an electric shutt le, with live commentary about the Botanic Gardens’ unique plants and history.
An educational adventure with Christchurch Att ractions
Contact the team for options for your school group visit to Hanmer Springs by email at info@hanmerspringsattractions.nz or visit www.hanmerspringsattractions.nz.
Educational fun in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Christchurch Attractions offers plenty of fun and educational experience opportunities in Christchurch, including the Christchurch Tram and Christchurch Gondola.
A Tram ride on a vintage tramcar o ers a unique opportunity for students to experience an iconic piece of history, and the informative live commentary o ers insights into the city’s past and present. Tram rides are also ideal for transporting groups between locations on the route including Tūranga, the Christchurch Art Gallery and Quake City.
The Christchurch Gondola o ers fantastic sightseeing for all ages with a birdseye view of the city, Banks Peninsula and the surrounding region. School groups can experience the outdoors with a range of walking tracks, each showcasing the area’s volcanic geology, and learn more about the region’s history and formation on a Discovery Ride. One-way tickets are available for groups, and the onsite café can cater for group lunches.
Contact the team for options for your school group visit to Christchurch by email at info@christchurcha ractions.nz or visit www.christchurcha ractions.nz.
Image courtesy of Hanmer Springs Attractions
Image courtesy of Christchurch Attractions
is an ideal way to explore the region’s iconic att ractions.
Auckland Zoo is a worldrenowned conservation learning provider. Its mission is to connect young people with wildlife, building a generation of conservation scientists for the future. Auckland Zoo learning sessions are run by a team of expert facilitators who have a wealth of education experience.
Interactive sessions draw on local and global conservation and wildlife science to provide tamariki
EOTC contributed to student engagement, curriculum connection and real-world learning
with experiential learning that complements the New Zealand Curriculum, Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, and Te Whāriki.
The team are passionate about wildlife conservation and inspiring tamariki on the role we all play as kaitiakitanga
and as part of te taiao (the environment). Zoo staff lead by example, with optimism, with expertise, and with passion. By connecting today’s tamariki with wildlife, nature, and conservation, an Auckland Zoo visit can
foster passion and empathy for wildlife and wild places.
The education programme has been developed with the latest wildlife conservation science in mind. The wealth of education experience within the team has also been drawn on to ensure learning experiences are engaging and informative and inspire informed action from our younger citizens.
Conservation learning visits are also available online with virtual sessions, a great way to bring Auckland Zoo to you.
Inspire the next generation of conservationists and learn about the unique behaviour of the little blue penguins / kororā.
See them in their natural environment from a special viewing area then watch them waddle ashore at dusk after a day fishing at sea.
Hear from educators and experts about the Colony’s research and how we can protect kororā into the future.
Images courtesy of Auckland Zoo
Surfing Education for Schools
Surfing is an amazing sport that will challenge, entertain, and educate!
Let us take your students surfing on one of our ‘Beach Safety Days’ or NCEA Achievement Standard courses teaching students how to be safe at the beach through the enjoyment of learning how to surf.
Our surf schools will be o ering our popular Surfing Education
programmes to Primary, Intermediate and High schools in Orewa, Matakana Coast & across Northland. All you have to do is get yourselves to the beach and we will do the rest! Over 250 schools have surfed with us over the last 14 years and the feedback is always AWESOME!!
A great, safe, educational and fun activity that ALL your students, regardless of ability or experience, will love and remember!!
For more information please contact the NZ Surf Academy at surf@nzsurfacademy.co.nz, phone 027 734 4877 or visit www.nzsurfacademy.co.nz
NZ Surf Academy works with hundreds of children each year and has seen first-hand the happiness those children experience when surfing.
Surfing is not just a sport, it’s something that will challenge, educate and inspire. Surfing has no age limit, no height limit, and no limit to what time of year it takes place. The team at NZ Surf Academy can facilitate a surfing experience for everyone through all four seasons of the year.
NZ Surf Academy off ers a variety of programmes, from Beach Safety Days to NCEA Achievement standard
courses. Programmes can be tailored to suit any age group, from primary school to high school and adult hood.
Working with NZ Surf Academy, children learn safe risktaking as they assess which waves to take and how best to approach them, patience while they wait for the perfect wave, and resilience through gett ing up and trying again when they endure a wipe out.
Surfing helps children to face their fears and feel proud of their eff orts when they catch their first wave, which will hopefully be the first of many.
Images courtesy of NZ Surf Academy
With 15 years of experience and more than 250 schools under their belt, the team pride themselves on being one of NZ’s top surf education providers.
Kokako Lodge has a unique location inside the Hunua Ranges Regional Park, making the camp the perfect place to immerse your students in nature. A wide range of outdoor activities are available with enthusiastic and experienced instructors.
Here you can hike in the ranges, build raft s to float in the pool by the famous Hunua Falls, and take your students to new
heights on the challenging high ropes course. There’s the always-popular archery, orienteering, team-building games, low ropes, a Burma trail and even a glow worm trail.
The camp is well equipped to handle up to 100 campers in cabins, with 82 bunk beds and extra matt resses. Kokako Lodge features a large commercial kitchen and dining hall, heaps of outdoor space and a multipurpose room with a smart TV. Groups can either self-cater to keep costs down, or you are welcome to bring a caterer of your choice.
Where learning comes naturally
Enhance your session with ELC
Experiential education
Connecting with nature
Book your session with the team today.
Conservation Learning
Images courtesy of Kokako Lodge
The beginning of the year is an important time for class team building and MOTAT ’s team of qualified educators can provide your students with engaging hands-on, minds-on EOTC STEAM experiences.
MOTAT’s Learnable kits provide great opportunities for collaboration while building class communication and key competencies, while the STEAM Cell resource trailers and online workshops provide exciting in-class experiences.
Whether you are looking for an out-of-school visit including rich experiences and inspirational activities or an education programme delivered at your school, MOTAT can provide customised learning opportunities for you and your students.
With a range of topics from Design Thinking and Digital Technologies to the Science of Sound and Electricity, MOTAT has something to suit all learning objectives.
Images courtesy of MOTAT
Science + Tech + Play
WE COME TO YOUR SCHOOL
STEAM CELLS
LEARNABLES STEM KITS ONLINE WORKSHOPS
Find your learning fit with MOTAT
Whether you are looking for an out-of-school visit including rich experiences and inspirational activities or a customised education programme delivered at your school, MOTAT can provide tailored learning opportunities for you and your students.
Visit to explore our unique museum and participate in one of our education programmes, or let us bring our hands-on education experiences to you in a STEAM Cell visit to your school. Book an online workshop for an exciting in-class lesson or borrow a Learnables STEM kit to use in class. *Only available to schools in the North Island. ZOOM US INTO YOUR CLASSROOM DELIVERED TO YOUR SCHOOL*
