Middle School Adventure Days

A classic quote by John Lubbock perceptively stated “Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountains and the sea are excellent schoolmasters, and teach of us more than we can ever learn from books.”

Over a century after Lubbock’s comments, at Kristin School we do not underestimate the value of Outdoor Education in providing young people with the opportunity to grow and develop, personally and socially. As well as offering our students Outdoor Education as a curriculum option, in February each year every Middle and Senior School student and staff member embark on Camp Week at various scenic locations across New Zealand. Friendships are established and strengthened; essential ‘soft skills’ of cooperation, teamwork, leadership, adaptability and problem-solving are enhanced; and a curiosity and appreciation of protecting and caring for our environment are fostered.

Alas, this year, COVID-19 curtailed our annual Camp plans. As an alternative, in testimony to our commitment to providing a holistic range of educational experiences, Kristin Middle School hosted an Outdoor Adventure Day for each year level in conjunction with the outdoor provider Bigfoot Adventures. Kristin is privileged to have a beautiful campus backing onto Lucas Creek. The opportunity to use our extensive grounds and immediate environment during a school day was an essential component of this experience. As Year 10 student Leisha explained, “We didn’t let COVID beat us; we still got to enjoy camp right here on Kristin’s grounds!”

As a brand new cohort, Year 7’s primary focus was on social connections. Students participated in various activities in their tutor classes, ranging from mountain biking to archery, and making bivvy shelters to rock climbing our own Kristin climbing wall. Akaal summed up the experience perfectly, “Adventure Day was so much fun as we got to try so many new things. I was so pleased that my class was the overall winner but, more importantly, we made new friends.”

With Year 8 participating in the William Pike Award this year, their focus was on developing skills to survive outdoors. As a result, the year level came away from their Outdoor Adventure Day far more knowledgeable about bush survival, pack making and “...how to tie a bunch of different knots and to pitch a perfect tent” (Kara), as well as outdoor first aid, “My highlight? Learning how to tie a sling and make one out of your jersey” (Alys).

Meanwhile, for Year 9, their Outdoor Adventure Day was about providing “a great way to catalyse our friendships” (Imogen). In addition, Adventure-Based Learning games helped “develop a stronger sense of connection with the year level” and rewarded “good teamwork” among coaching groups .

And finally, all of our Year 10 students had the opportunity to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Training Day. “We got to do some fun activities like navigation and orienteering, rope tying, bivouac building, packing a tramping bag, and we even managed to cook our lunch on a portable stove using gas cans!” (Leisha). Focusing on the skills and knowledge required for the DOfE Adventurous Journey, the Year 10’s day provided a means of self-discovery, increasing self-confidence and helping enhance values and ideals as responsible citizens of the world.

Although our Middle School students were unable to traverse the Tongariro Crossing or surf at Raglan this year – arguably iconic New Zealand outdoor experiences – they were able to enjoy and discover our own beautiful backyard. Any opportunity to appreciate nature “reminds us that we are part of something bigger” (Ben PalmerFry), and, for many of our students, it deepened their sense of belonging and connection to Kristin at the beginning of a new school year.

What’s more, amid a COVID-19 pandemic and disturbing images of war in Ukraine, for our young people to be outside and immersed in nature away from devices, “it grounds us, calms us” (Ben Palmer-Fry).

The Duke of Edinburgh set up the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DOE ) over 60 years ago. The aim was to encourage young people to take on new experiences and develop themselves into ‘more rounded people’.

There are three different levels to attain – Bronze, Silver and Gold – and four sections, including expedition planning and completion, getting fitter, helping in the community and developing new skills. Therefore, it seems natural that Kristin, a school offering a holistic educational experience, should promote and offer the DOE. All our Middle School students in Year 10 are encouraged to take on the Bronze Award. The Year 10 Camp experience has been developed over recent times to make the process easier, with all Year 10 students completing the practice elements of the expedition during Camp Week.

I firmly believe that the DOE enhances confidence and communication skills in our students. The soft skills enhanced by the DOE experience are highly relevant in helping teenagers cope with the pressures young people are living with today. Peer pressures, social media influences and, more recently, the issues associated with lifestyle changes enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic have all contributed to damaging mental health and physical wellbeing. Being able to escape for a while into nature on an expedition without a mobile phone allows the opportunity for students to reset their minds and evaluate priorities.

Community service has long been a part of Kristin’s educational offering. Alongside our altruistic service programme, the DOE community service element helps students understand the concept of leadership as service to others or the environment. Understanding leadership and service in this way can expand horizons and put things into perspective.

Being a regular at Year 10 Camp and on qualifying tramps, I have seen the positive impact the DOE has on students' general wellbeing. Many students have told me that the DOE is fun and an opportunity to make new friends as well as face new challenges. The DOE also has a positive impact on students’ confidence and resilience. Since our focus on all those in Year 10 taking the award, teachers have reported that students are generally more confident in difficult situations, have the opportunity to experience new challenges and feel more independent and responsible.

Carl Murray, as Kristin’s Director of Special Programmes and leader of the DOE programme, has noticed a positive impact on student levels of communication, teamwork and leadership skills. Carl says that much of this impact comes from the benefits of learning how to work with others to solve problems, feel more confident about speaking to people they do not know well and understand how to take responsibility for others. And that’s where I think the answer lies. The benefits to our Middle School students from completing the Bronze DOE are enormous and will help steer them through life. Facing personal challenges, acquiring skills to cope with challenging situations, time management, leadership, teamwork and communication – these are all necessary qualities for being successful in life.

“Each person holds so much power within themselves that needs to be let out. Sometimes they just need a little nudge, a little direction, a little support, a little coaching, and the greatest things can happen.” Pete Carroll After two years of piloting student coaching in the Middle School, 2022 has seen our new coaching programme launch. The programme is predominantly focused on Years 9 and 10 and is based firmly on the Growth Coaching approach (see Figure 1). All students are in groups of 10 to 12 alongside a Growth Coaching trained staff member. Coaching takes place three times a week in one 15-minute and two 25-minute sessions. The small groups make for a more intimate atmosphere, and a central aim of the programme is that each student is known as an individual, both as a person and as a learner. Alongside a well-developed weekly programme that focuses on 21st-century skills such as collaboration, critical thinking and self-efficacy, coaches also take the time to meet with students in one-to-one coaching conversations. There is also the opportunity to discuss and debate topical issues and engage in discussions that may not otherwise take place. These conversational opportunities aim to support students to learn, reflect and develop, thereby enhancing their ability to achieve more of their untapped potential. In addition, we want to increase students’ self-awareness and sense of personal responsibility for their development, both inside and outside the classroom. Our teacher-coaches facilitate students' self-directed learning through questioning, active listening, and appropriate challenge in a supportive and encouraging climate. In essence, our coaching programme in the Middle School is about creating the best possible environments for students to learn for themselves. Coaches help students assess their current situation and set realistic and meaningful goals. Regardless of how these goals are defined, it is paramount that students are encouraged to articulate their commitment and the potential benefits of following these through in their context. The focus is on developing student success to assist students in taking responsibility for their school work, activities and time. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to work with students in this way and get to know them in different ways outside of the norm. Our aim for coaching is that the approach is tailored to the individual, so that the outcomes are based on each student’s own needs and learning requirements. We recognise that no two students are the same, and coaches aim to identify the key focus points for each student, equipping them with a toolkit and strategies they can use to assist them at school and in life.

Middle School Client: Date: Coaching Programme Job description: Job number: Designer: Account Manager: www.benefitz.co.nz twitter.com/benefitzdma www.facebook.com/benefitzdma Dave Scott MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Finish: Diecut arm for spiral spine insertion Stock: 0.8mm Polypropylene Print: Full Colour / 1 Side Size: 70mmW x 230mmH Quantity: 380 Plastic Bookmarks for Diaries

0 mm 10 20 30 40 G 50 60 R 70 80 O 90 100 W 110 T 120 130 H 140 150 160 170 180 190 200

05/12/2018 Kristin School Job description: Plastic Bookmarks Job number: KRI210927 Arm for spiral spine insertion RELATIONSHIPS Building the trust The Growth Model GOALS What do you need to achieve? REALITY What is Mike Nolan happening now? OPTIONS What could you do? WILL What will you do? TACTICS How and when will you do it? HABITS How will you sustain success? RESULTS Celebrating the results Figure 1. © Growth Coaching International