The school is within 35 minutes of the 2500m Mt Tararanki and 350 square km Egmont National Park. Students have a wide range of alpine activities. New Plymouth is situated on the coast of the Tasman Sea so students can do water-based activities in the rivers and the sea.
Selecting New Plymouth Boys' High School as your place to study Outdoor Education will allow you to be within 35 minutes of an alpine environment and five minutes from the surf at the beach.
The school has three qualified outdoor education teachers and a fully equipped department with all the necessary equipment. Outdoor Education is a timetabled class at Year 11 and Year 12, and the boys will have timetabled classes during the school day.
The courses require much time out of school, either before or after school and sometimes overnight. Like other subjects, students are tested and marked on their ability to complete tasks.
The courses on offer are:
Year 11 (half year)
- Kayaking skills progressing from the pool to slow water to sea kayaking.
- Mountain Biking ( overnight trip)
- Abseiling
- Rock climbing
- Caving
Year 12 (full year)
- Kayaking skills progressing from the pool to slow water to sea kayaking.
- navigation skills
- Tramping and camping skills
- climbing and abseiling skills
- Snowcraft, the use of ice axes and crampons, and experience camping in the snow
- Four days away in the Tongariro National Park on expedition week
Due to safety requirements, the ratio of staff to students limits the number in the course. Prospective students need to indicate their interest as soon as possible.
Year 10 students get to participate in a week-long Outdoor Education programme by an independent provider, the Taranaki Outdoor Pursuit Education Centre. (TOPEC).
Some of the activities include:
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Caving
- Orienteering/rogaining
- Tramping
- Snow experiences
- High ropes
- Dam dropping
