Outdoor Education – Character development through the outdoors

“The outdoors is a powerful tool to help people sort out where they’re at in terms of confidence. There are no masks. On a mountain or a rock face, you can’t
hide that fact that you are scared. In a very short time you can experience some intense learning and life-changing situations
which would take a long time and a lot of talking to achieve in a classroom. It might never happen at all in a classroom.”

– Bev Smith, Outdoor Pursuits Centre Instructor

In Outdoor Education, students learn ‘through’, ‘in’ and ‘about’ the outdoors:

Through the outdoors: students develop understanding, skills and attitudes to enhance interactions and relationships with others

In the outdoors: students develop safe practices

About the outdoors: students develop knowledge and understanding of the need to protect and care for the environment.

Outdoor Education may be taken as an Option in Year 10. Students experience numerous outdoor pursuits to develop their transferable skills, learn basic outdoor skills and knowledge. The subject may be continued from Years 11-13 and also taken for Scholarship. In Year 11 students complete a course related to movement strategies, interpersonal skills, safe behaviours and personal responsibility all related to outdoor pursuits. During Year 12 they practice personal and social responsibility, planning, risk management, group processes and bushcraft before the focus turns to leadership, risk management, independent planning and preparation in Year 13.
A side effect of the rise of technology is that it’s made skills like communication, leadership, and cultural intelligence more important to learn than ever. Recently, employers have started valuing these things more and the degree is no longer king. Soft skills and emotional intelligence, is not something a machine can replicate. Students who complete Outdoor Education to Level 3 will develop their key attributes to a high level. This is often what makes them more employable, as the subject has a strong emphasis on attitude, aptitude, ambition, aspiration and attendance.
Year 13 Outdoor Education is university-approved and may lead to tertiary study for those wishing to make a career in areas linked with the outdoors.

Student testimony

“During my time at MAGS, Outdoor Education was a source of happiness for me, contributing to my NCEA Achievement Standard credits as much as any other subject.
Outdoor Education gave me skills I never found in any other subjects at MAGS. The programme challenged myself and my classmates by exposing us to environments that pushed us to expand our social and problem solving skills.
I grew as a person in the programme – and not just in practical outdoor skills. The social and emotional intelligence I gained serves me every day in life. The ability to effectively work with people, understand their needs, and peacefully compromise with their differing opinions are some of the many skills the program ingrained in me.
Since leaving MAGS, I was fortunate enough to be admitted into Yale University, and I can genuinely say Outdoor Education endorsed my application. Throughout my first year, it helped strengthen the relationships I have with my peers and professors, and it empowered me to deal with the challenges of everyday university life. It is my most valued subject of secondary school.”

– Jonathan Winter

Student testimony

“I initially took Outdoor Education as a bit of a fun subject to keep me focused on my other classes.
It took a lot of persuasion to get my parents to let me take it as they didn’t see the benefit. They now think that it was one of the best things I did at school.
Outdoor Education opened a door to a whole world I never knew existed, it pushed me into an industry where I can teach, manage and guide all around the world and have a great time along the way. Which coming from a central city school I don’t think I would have known about otherwise. It definitely tested me mentally and physically. I was shy, un-coordinated and lacked confidence in my ability.
But by pushing my limits I made great friends and learnt fantastic skills. Actually, the friends I made in that class are some of the few people I still talk to from MAGS. The skills learnt in this class can be applied to all aspects of life. Leadership, communication, compromise, compassion and laughter even when things might not be so easy. I use these on a daily basis whether at work, with friends or stuck in an airport with lost bags.
The outdoor skills have also helped along the way. At the moment, I am currently working in Squamish, BC in Canada at a rafting company where I am the supervisor of an outstanding office team, and help run logistics. My career might not be glamorous but it is extremely fulfilling, exciting and diverse. Every day is different and you are always kept on your toes. I have no idea where I would be had I not take Outdoor Education at school, but it certainly wouldn’t be here and I credit the MAGS Outdoor Education programme for this.”

– Natasha Johnson

Student testimony

“I studied Outdoor Education every year it was offered to me at Mount Albert Grammar school and then continued to study Outdoor Education right through to a tertiary level.
My time in the program at Mount Albert Grammar school was not only a break from the routine of school but a powerful median for my personal growth as a young adult.
I recently spent some time helping to run a 14-day expedition for a group of people studying the Wharton MBA at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. During the venture, this group of professional adults biked, hiked and rafted from the West coast of the South Island to the East coast.
The purpose of the venture was to develop their ability to problem solve, have mental strength in adversity and gain some very valuable social skills through working in a team that was being pushed to their limits. Throughout this venture I was thinking about how lucky I was to have had the opportunity to experience that growth in secondary school.
The opportunity for growth that the Outdoor Education program provides is an opportunity that is not available inside of the classroom. Through challenging myself during the program I learnt a lot of valuable skills such as, the ability to rationally think under pressure, adapt to change quickly, resolve conflict within my relationships, the ability to manage and work with risk and lead a team with confidence in any circumstance.
To anyone trying to decide whether or not to take Outdoor Education as a subject I would recommend it above all other subjects for the growth which cannot be had inside.”

– Joshua Bougen


Click here to see MAGS Outdoor Education Instagram: mags_outdoored

Year 10 Outdoor Education

Course content

This course involves both theory and practical lessons. The lessons will be a combination of classroom-based theory and activities based in an outdoor environment. Students attend two classes per week, one in a classroom and the other in a practical setting that may include the pool, climbing wall or fields. During the course of the year there will be offsite trips that will supplement school-based learning.

Topics Taught

  • Personal Responsibility through Skateboarding and Surfing
  • Positivity through Whitewater Kayaking
  • Perseverance through physical challenges and Mountain Biking
  • Social Responsibility through Rock Climbing
  • Self-Management through Bushcraft, Orienteering and Camping

Students attend two classes per week, one in a classroom and the other in a practical setting that may include the pool, climbing wall or fields. During the course of the year there will be offsite trips that will supplement school-based learning.

Assessment

Each unit will be assessed through a combination of how well a student demonstrates the transferable skills, practical tests, theory tests and self-management.

Course cost

A course cost of approximately $285 covers expenses related to educational trips outside the classroom.

Prerequisites

Satisfactory completion of Year 9 Health and Physical Education with an interest in outdoor pursuits. Due to the nature of the course, demonstration of schoolwide safe behaviour is paramount. There are limited places available in this course and therefore a student’s performance in Year 9, a ballot system and a deposit of the course costs may be required to determine final selection.


Click here to see MAGS Outdoor Education Instagram: mags_outdoored

Year 11 Outdoor Education

Course Content

The course involves both theory and practical lessons. The lessons will be a combination of classroom based theory and activities based in an outdoor environment.

Units of work

  • Performance: Movement Strategies – students develop their ability to perform in a variety of outdoor pursuits and demonstrate how to apply effective movement strategies (Skateboarding, Surfing, Orienteering, Mountain Biking, Whitewater Kayaking, Rock Climbing).
  • Kotahitanga – students practice interpersonal skills in order to be able to effectively demonstrate these within a group and then explain how these interpersonal skills impact others.
  • Haumaratanga: Safety in the Outdoors – students develop an understanding of the need for responsible behaviour when participating in outdoor pursuits.
  • Personal Responsibility – across the year students develop self-management strategies and describe the effects these have on participation in outdoor pursuits.

Students attend four classes per week in a mixture of classroom and practical settings that may include the pool, climbing wall or fields. During the course of the year there will be offsite trips that will supplement school-based learning.

Course cost

A course cost of approximately $385 covers expenses related to educational trips outside the classroom.

Prerequisites

To qualify for 11 Outdoor Education the following prerequisites must be met:

1. At least 24 points from the 10OE1 course,

The 24 points are allocated through the NZQA grade score marking allocation.
Grade score marking recognises the quality of evidence within each grade. Grades can show an upper and lower result in a grade.

2. Paid 10OE1 course costs in full

OR HoD approval

Please note: there are limited places available in this course and therefore a students performance in Year 10 Physical Education (10PE) and 10 Health (10HE) may also be required to determine final selection.


Click here to see MAGS Outdoor Education Instagram: mags_outdoored

Year 12 Outdoor Education

Course Content

Students attend four classes per week in a mixture of classroom and practical settings that may include the pool, climbing wall or fields. During the course of the year there will be offsite trips that will supplement school-based learning.

Units of work

  • Personal and Social Responsibility – students develop effective interpersonal skills in order to be able to work in a group and realise how these interpersonal skills impact on others.
  • Quality Performance – students develop their performance to a high level in outdoor pursuits (Scuba, Whitewater Kayaking, Climbing, Mountain Biking)
  • Risk Management – students develop their ability to identify risks, hazards and relevant strategies related to the activities they are participating in (Climbing, Whitewater Kayaking).
  • Group Processes – students analyse the stages of group development through outdoor pursuits
  • Event Planning – students examine the implementation and outcomes related to the activities they are participating in (Mountain Biking).
  • Bushcraft – students develop an understanding of the requirements for a safe multi-day tramp in the bush, including clothing, equipment, weather, navigation aids and food (Survival Camp, Orienteering event, Tramping)

16 AS Credits (all internal)

Course cost

A course cost of approximately $850 covers expenses related to educational trips outside the classroom.

Prerequisites

To qualify for 12 Outdoor Education the following prerequisites must be met:

1. At least 24 points from the 11OE1 MCEA course

The 24 points are allocated through the NZQA grade score marking allocation.
Grade score marking recognises the quality of evidence within each grade. Grades can show an upper and lower result in a grade.

2. Paid 11OE1 course costs in full

OR HoD approval


Click here to see MAGS Outdoor Education Instagram: mags_outdoored

Year 13 Outdoor Education

Course Content

This course involves both theory and practical lessons. The lessons will be a combination of classroom based theory and activities based in an outdoor environment. Please note: an extra internal written assessment is available for those students who may be in need of an extra four credits.

Units of work

  • Independence – students practice the state of being independent while preparing for and participating in a surf camp
  • Judgement – students practice making considered decisions or coming to sensible conclusions while preparing for and completing the Whanganui Journey.
  • Perseverance – students practice persisting in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success by preparing for and completing a timed mountain biking circuit.
  • Reliability – students practice the ability to be relied on or depended on, as for accuracy, honesty, or achievement while preparing for and completing a three day Adventure Race.
  • Creativity – students practice the use of imagination or original ideas to create a personal outdoor pursuit based event.
  • Perspective & Gratitude – students take in the big picture view through a Solo camping experience designed to help you show gratitude.

15 (+ 4) Achievement Standard Credits (all internal)

Course cost

A course cost of approximately $800 covers expenses related to educational trips outside the classroom.

Prerequisites

To qualify for 13 Outdoor Education the following prerequisites must be met:

1. At least 35 points from the Achievement Standards from 12OE1.

The 35 points are allocated through the NZQA grade score marking allocation.
Grade score marking recognises the quality of evidence within each grade. Grades can show an upper and lower result in a grade.

2. Paid 12OE1 course costs in full

OR HoD approval

Please note: there are limited places available in this course and therefore a students performance in Year 12 and an interview with the Head of Department may be required to determine final selection.


Click here to see MAGS Outdoor Education Instagram: mags_outdoored

Career pathways

 

Students who complete Outdoor Education to Level 3 will develop their key attributes to a high level. This is often what makes them more employable, as the subject has a strong emphasis on attitude, aptitude, ambition, aspiration and attendance.

The Year 13 course is university approved, and may lead to tertiary study for those wishing to make a career in areas linked with the outdoors. Possible jobs include Outdoor Instructor or Guide, Teacher, Challenge Course Facilitator, Environmental Educator, Event Co-ordinator, jobs in conservation, in the tourism sector (including business and marketing), and in outdoor equipment retail.

Log in to SchoolPoint for course information and options

Contact the Outdoor Education Department

The Macpac Adventure Partnership is an initiative that partners Macpac with Mount Albert Grammar School to demonstrate a sharing of our core values of openness and honesty, adventurous thinking, sustainability and which, in our own way, promote “adventure for life”.

By choosing to select Macpac products you will directly benefit Mount Albert Grammar School, as 10% of your purchase will return to the MAGS Outdoor Education department to be used to purchase clothing and equipment for students to use. Sign up to the Macpac Wilderness club (free to join), mention you are linked to Mount Albert Grammar School and receive 30% off the full retail price of all Macpac products in all stores. 10% of all of your sales will return to MAGS Outdoor Education