Education Outside the Classroom

=Education Outside the Classroom=

Purpose
To use the outdoors to enrich all aspects of the curriculum and provide further opportunities for learning, personal growth and social development

Objectives

 * 1) Enhance learning through a variety of well-designed, first hand experiences
 * 2) Help students develop self-confidence and a sense of adventure
 * 3) Assist students in their social development by placing them with others in unfamiliar situations
 * 4) Help students develop an attitude of responsibility, particularly towards their own safety and that of others
 * 5) Increase students’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the school area, local district and other places, including some unfamiliar places

Guidelines

 * 1) Offer students a variety of challenging Outdoor Education experiences
 * 2) Communicate effectively and consult with parents and caregivers during key planning stages including:
 * 3) *financial, accommodation and transport arrangements
 * 4) Work to remove barriers to participation for both staff and students
 * 5) Ensure adequate, ongoing evaluation and annual review of EOTC programmes and activities
 * 6) Comply with all Ministry of Education regulations and guidelines on safety, supervision, risk management, leadership and consultation
 * 7) Relevance to the curriculum
 * 8) Ensure that all teachers are provided with necessary training for EOTC activities

Considerations

 * 1) The environment and the suitability of available facilities and activities
 * 2) The needs, capabilities and experiences, of the children
 * 3) Skills and experience of staff, parents and EOTC resource personnel and finances
 * 4) Safety of children and equipment
 * 5) Relevance to the curriculum
 * 6) Suitability to genders

Learning
Activities will be adequately supervised by staff, parents and EOTC resource personnel on the ratios listed:
 * 4-7years - exploring the local community walking distance from the school or accessible by car, bus or train ride
 * 7-10years - above and exploring rural or city environments and possibly involving staying overnight
 * 10-13years - above and exploring bush/water environments and staying for multiple nights
 * Staff are responsible for giving full attention to planning and ensuring supervision, and the safety and well-being of children.
 * 1) 1 adult for 4 children on or near water or other high-risk activity
 * 2) 1 adult for 6 children in bush
 * 3) 1 adult for 8 children for all other activities
 * Written parental consent for all local EOTC activities can be obtained with a generic permission form
 * This allows for easier access to EOTC activities within walking distance of the school