Outdoor Education 

We are specialist providers of Outdoor Education. Mr Peter Cooper is the Outdoor Education teacher and he is one of the most experienced outdoor educators in New Zealand.  
Our course is second to none and includes extensive travel all over the South Island. Our fees cover the costs of the trips (unlike some other schools). 
To give you an idea here is the term 1 outline from 2016. 
Oxford Area School       -    Outdoor Pursuits and Leadership Outdoor Education
Term One Timeline 2016.
Practicals – Thursdays
Classroom Sessions – Seminar Room
Week    Date    Programme/Activities

1.        Feb 1 - 5        Course Introductions    Tramp/Sea Kayak Information
    Equipment/Food Arrangements Sea Kayak Skill Practical’s – Pool.
    Presentations Information/Topics
2.        Feb 8 - 12        Angelus & Abel Tasman Preparation
    Equipment Organisation
3.        Feb 15 - 19        Angelus & Abel Tasman Trip – Tramp/Sea Kayak
(Departs Thursday Morning)
4.        Feb 22 - 26         Angelus & Abel Tasman Trip – Tramp/Sea Kayak
(Away all week – Return Thursday afternoon)
5.        Feb 29 – March 4        Review Angelus & Abel Tasman
    Sort River Kayaking Equipment – Pool Practical
6.        March 7 - 11        River Kayaking/Flat Water Paddling
7.        March 14 - 18        River Kayaking/Flat Water Paddling
8.        March 21 - 25        No Thursday Practical – Teacher Only Day
    Easter Friday
9.        March 28 April 1        Easter Monday
    Rafting - To Be Confirmed

The term two programme moves to some of the skills required in the  mountains. 

1.        May 2 - 6        Day Tramp – Rydes Falls 
    Depart 10.45am – Return approximately 4.00pm
    Completion of: Undertake Day Tramps: Standard 425 Level Two Credits Three
2.        May 9 - 13        Adventure Based Learning 
    At Oxford Area School
    Demonstrate personal and social development through participation in adventure based learning Standard 467 Level 2: Credit 3
3.        May 16 - 20        Adventure Based Learning
    ‘Blue Skies” Kaiapoi
4.        May 23 - 27        .Adventure Based Learning
    ‘Leading Others’ – At Oxford
5.        May 30 – June 
3        Rock Climbing (Indoor or Castle Hill/Cattle Stop – weather dependant) 
    Demonstrate basic rock climbing movement Standard 444 – Level 2 Credit 1
    Demonstrate the use of basic rope systems for top rope Rock climbing and abseiling Standard 20157 – Level 2 Credits 3
6.   June 6 - 10        Rock Climbing (Indoor or Castle Hill/Cattle Stop – weather dependant)
7.        June  13 - 17        Abseiling – Blue Skies - Kaiapoi
8.        June  20 - 24        Rock Climbing (Indoor or Castle Hill/Cattle Stop – weather dependant)
9.        June 27 – July 1        Rock Climbing (Indoor or Castle Hill/Cattle Stop – weather dependant)
10.        July 4 - 8        Community Service – Working for others 

Typically term 3 looks like this. 

1.        July 20 - 24        Initiatives – Blue Skies Kaiapoi 
2.        July 27 - 31        Sea Kayaking – (Venue to be confirmed)
    (Country High Schools Indoor Sports Day?)
3.        August 3 - 7        Community Service
4.        August 10 - 14        Ski/Snowboarding - Porters
5.        August 17 - 21        Snowskills Preparation - School
6.        August 24 - 28        SNOWSKILLS – CASTLE HILL BASIN
    Monday August 24 – Thursday August 27
7.        Aug 31 -Sep 4        River Crossing – Ashley Gorge
8.        September 7 - 11        Exam Week – No OPL Programme
9.        September 14 - 18        Mr Cooper Away – Details to be advised
10.        September 21 - 25        Mountain Biking  or Castle Hill Climbing

And term 4 (short) like this 
Week    Date    Programme/Activity
1.         
October 12 - 16
Monday – Seminar Room
Thursday – (15th)
Mountain Biking –Oxford Forest
    Depart 10.45am  
    Aiming to be back by 3.00/3.30pm
2.        
October 19 - 23
Monday – Seminar Room
Thursday – (22nd)
 Rafting – Hurunui River
    Details to come – bbq lunch provided.
3.        
October 26 - 30
Monday – Labour Day Holiday
Thursday – (29th)
Mountain Biking – Bottle Lake 
    Depart 10.45am
    Aiming to be back by 3.30/4.00pm
4.        November 2 - 6    Monday – OPL Review Seminar Room

Come and join us for the experience of a lifetime!