Chosen Valley Camp
Developing independence and self- discipline, fostering friendships and new relationships, acquiring new skills,
experiencing new challenges and new situations. Our school's annual outdoor experience is based around these goals.
During a week in the first term, the senior school along with about 30 staff and parents undertake a memorable camp
at Chosen Valley, Ararimu.
Rain or shine, our camp goes on.
Our school camps have traditionally attracted strong pupil participation and outstanding parental support. I'm confident in saying that our school camp over the years has developed a reputation such that we are in the enviable position of attracting the best of parent helpers for camp. Our school camps reflect years of planning and constant refinement and are seen by younger pupils as a feature of their forthcoming senior years.
Each year is a great camp. Our children excel in their challenges, our parent helpers are exceptional and we seem to have a programme tailored to our satisfaction. Beginning of year pressures abound in a school without the added pressures of preparing for a school camp. However, for us as teachers, it's the logical time of the year to provide an annual camp. The value gained from living, sleeping, eating and working with one's pupils provides something that 6 hours of a regular school day can not.
Our children make full use of the facilities offered at Chosen Valley. In return they gain a pride in their achievements, a satisfaction from challenges attained and a bonding together that will benefit us all for the remainder of the year.
The staff of Chosen Valley displays a genuine interest in the pupils and their activities and are fully accommodating of our every demand. The environment is a safe one yet risk-taking is encouraged. Comprehensive yet sensible guidelines are established with the camp management unobtrusively overseeing our school's use of the facilities.
Finally, it behoves me to acknowledge that camp is one of our school's major staff commitments for the year. I must thank all the senior staff for their diligence and enthusiasm in providing a memorable experience for our senior pupils.
Janice Lindsay
