Page 11 - Southwell School_The Chronicle July 2020

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF
AOUTDOOR EDUCATION CAMPS
fter an initial trial by Moss Marshall in 1988, with the “The outdoor education camps were successful in uniting senior classes visiting Port Waikato, Outdoor Education classes with their teachers in a bond of common
was fully introduced to Southwell in February 1989. experience. The lines between day boy and boarder, new
Every Southwell old boy or girl has a story or memory about School camps – some good and others not so good! The annual event of the entire School going on camp
in the same week is one of the many unique traditions of Southwell with senior students, especially, spending the
first few weeks of school, preparing for their week away. This involves learning to put up a tent, making damper, tramping and bush safety, preparing for all conditions
of the grueling Tongariro Crossing and how and where to safely cross rivers.
Organising camps for staff is a massive exercise, but most worthwhile and one that is beneficial to all who participate. The camps are designed so that in progressive years’ students gain new skills and experiences, be it surfing, high ropes, kayaking, pitching a tent or for the younger students having their first night away from family! The positive aspects of team work, confidence building and leadership skills with skilled instructors, staff and parental involvement is priceless.
boy and seasoned boy became pleasantly blurred in the sharing, caring and challenge of outdoor life” Headmaster Geoff Burgess (1989 – 1993)
‘Mr Taylor thought that his class should be the quickest ones over, so we did the eight-hour tramp in six hours and fifteen minutes!’ Tom Geddes School Magazine 1994
Overnight Camp
Camping in the bush
In the middle of nowhere
No noise, sound or movement
Lying awake in the blackness
The quietness is deafening Impossible to sleep
The tent is wet; the rain has stopped Overnight camp
Tim Aldridge School Magazine 1998
Year 8 Camp Overnighter 2020 Year 8 Fathers 2020
Year 8 Tongariro Crossing 2020 Year 8 Rafting 2020