Whangarei Girls’ High School Whangarei Girls’ High School

Level 2 Outdoor Education

2OED
Course Description

The Year 12 Outdoor Education programme offers students a rich and challenging opportunity to develop their personal and social capabilities through practical outdoor experiences and theoretical inquiry. Aligned with Level 7 of the New Zealand Curriculum in Health and Physical Education, this course promotes learning in the strands of Personal Health and Physical Development, Relationships with Other People, and Healthy Communities and Environments.

Throughout the year, students will participate in a range of outdoor activities, including camping expeditions, a multi-day sea kayaking journey, mountain biking, bush survival, surfing, rock climbing, white water rafting, alpine skills and adventure based learning activities, which are used as contexts for learning about risk management, personal growth, and environmental responsibility. A key focus is on successful event planning, where students learn to design and implement outdoor experiences, considering logistics, safety, and group needs.

Students will critically examine and apply group processes, learning how to analyse the effective functioning of teams and their own contribution to group success. Emphasis is placed on building quality relationships through collaboration, communication, and mutual support, which reflects a focus on developing positive interpersonal skills.

A core theme of the course is knowing about self and others—students are encouraged to reflect on their own values, strengths, and identity, and to understand diverse perspectives within their peer group. This supports personal development and enhances social awareness, helping students to become confident, connected, and lifelong learners.

Overall, Year 12 Outdoor Education empowers students to take responsibility for themselves and others, fosters leadership, and nurtures an appreciation for Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique natural environments.

This course involves 5 1-day trips, a 2-day overnight sea kayaking/camping experience and a weeklong Central North Island Expedition across the year. By selecting Outdoor Education, it is expected that students will participate in all of these out of school events.

Learning Opportunities

In this course you will need to:

Develop these skills:Explore this content:
  • Safety management - identify and develop plans to manage risks and hazards that impact our physical and emotional safety in a range of outdoor contexts.
  • Skills for Sea Kayaking: Investigate weather, equipment and technical skills for sea kayaking. Plan for and participate in an 1-day and overnight sea kayak trips.
  • Self management - develop strategies to manage self through challenging outdoor contexts.  This includes, personal responsibility, organisation, setting goals, seeking knowledge and motivation.
  • Bush survival skills: Gain knowledge around outdoor safety and Search and Rescue in NZ. Learn key skills and knowledge to successfully survive overnight in the outdoors.
  • Leadership - participate as team leaders or effective team members in physical contexts, organise work to meet goals and allocate team roles.
  • Mountain Biking:

    Develop the skills required to successfully ride grade 2 mountain bike trails at a range of venues.

  • Movement and technical skills in a range of contexts - demonstrate technical skills in sea kayaking, bush survival, surfing, rock climbing and mountain biking.
  • Group Processes: Investigate how groups develop over time while participating in challenging team activities.


  • Mountain Expedition:

    Participate in a week-long mountain adventure to test leadership, group performance and explore the impacts of personal behaviours on activity outcomes.


  • Skills for Surfing: Performance in surfing skills over 2 days on the Tutukaka coast.

  • Rock Climbing: Learn basic skills for rock climbing movement and performance.


Year Levels/Departments:

Outdoor Education, Seniors




			
					
					Resources Required
										
$400 school contribution cost to cover accommodation and travel expenses. 

Exercise clothes, laptop (BYOD)

1 Set of thermals. Talk to your teacher before purchasing

1 Pair of sturdy shoes - Talk to your teacher before purchasing

All specialist safety equipment will be provided for each activity