Leaving the classroom to boost wellbeing

As part of Kōrero Mātauranga | Education Conversation, New Zealanders identified student wellbeing as a priority. The curriculum focus on wellbeing was further cemented in the 2023 report titled “Understanding student wellbeing in the educational setting”, which surveyed almost 10,000 ākonga from Years 7 to 13, either in-class or online.

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Regular education outside the classroom (EOTC) activities help students feel connected to their school and their classmates, expose students to nature, and help them become physically active. All of this can improve student wellbeing, and in turn boost attendance, strengthen learning engagement and create happier classrooms.

Nature and improving wellbeing

It is well documented that outdoor education has a positive impact on student wellbeing. One of the main benefits is that it provides students with a break from the stressors of everyday life, both at school and beyond.

Being in nature has a calming effect on the mind and body and can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, for whānau Māori, outdoor play is found to foster wellbeing through the development of knowledge and understandings of te ao Māori, which additionally supports their sense of identity and belonging, key components for wellbeing.

Sport and physical activity

Sport and physical activity were referenced in Kōrero Mātauranga as being key components to overall wellbeing.  Students wrote they wanted to have more opportunities and activities at kura to be involved in outside of class time, especially those that were of interest to them.

They also spoke of a desire to have increased opportunities to participate in fitness or sports activities during school, with additional PE lessons or on-campus weights rooms suggested as potential solutions.

EOTC can provide a connection to nature and an opportunity to be active simultaneously. Consider activities like hiking, rock climbing, canoeing and swimming.

Emotional wellbeing

COVID led to increased rates of mental distress among youth and for many, their emotional wellbeing remains a concern. Significantly, a nationwide study found ākonga with mental health conditions were significantly more likely to fail exams and be suspended.

Improved emotional wellbeing can be fostered through outdoor activities like yoga and meditation, mindful cloud watching or nature spotting, and walking barefoot to connect with the earth. Schools can facilitate these activities themselves, or engage an external provider to visit their kura. An excursion to a local national park, beach or waterfall can enhance the experience.

It is also imperative that students are aware of on campus and local services and resources that are available to help support and manage their mental and emotional health.

Social wellbeing

Belonging and participation were key themes referenced in the report. This included connections and relationships with peers, classmates and teachers.

During EOTC, social wellbeing can be prioritised through whole-class activities and teamwork which foster a feeling of inclusion for all students. Activities like orienteering, a scavenger hunt, rowing and many team sports can help students feel included and part of a team.

Inspiration for EOTC experiences

NZ Surf Academy works with hundreds of children each year and has seen first-hand the happiness those children experience when surfing. Surfing reduces anxiety and stress through the release of endorphins into the brain when exercising, leaving your child with a warm, euphoric feeling post-surf.

Unlike most sports, surfing has no age limit, no height limit, and no limit to what time of year it takes place. The team at NZ Surf Academy can facilitate a surfing experience for everyone through all four seasons of the year.

Children’s minds are busy and rarely stop, but NZ Surf Academy can help students to switch off their brains and be at one with the ocean. Mindfulness and being present in the moment are life lessons anybody would love to learn at a young age, and the team are proud to teach kids this today.

Working with NZ Surf Academy, children learn safe risk-taking as they assess which waves to take and how best to approach them, patience while they wait for the perfect wave, and resilience through getting up and trying again when they endure a wipe out. Surfing helps children to face their fears and feel proud of their efforts when they catch their first wave, which will hopefully be the first of many.

Kokako Lodge has the advantage of being inside the Hunua Ranges Regional Park, making the camp the perfect place for students to immerse themselves in nature. The camp offers a wide range of outdoor activities with enthusiastic, friendly and experienced instructors.

Here you can hike in the Hunua Ranges, build rafts to float in the pool by the famous Hunua Falls, and take your students to new heights with the challenging high ropes course. Other activities include the always-popular archery, many maps for orienteering, plus search and rescue, team-building games (ABL), low ropes, a Burma trail and even a glow worm trail.

Kokako Lodge facilities are well equipped to handle groups of up to 100 campers. The camp has cabins with bunk beds, a large commercial kitchen and dining hall, a multipurpose room with a smart TV, a piano and table tennis. Groups have the option of self-catering to keep costs down, or are welcome to engage their choice of caterers.

Presbyterian Camps offer a range of exciting opportunities for students. The ultimate school camp experience awaits at Hunua Falls Camp. Nestled in a serene natural setting, the camp sleeps up to 118 guests in heated cabin accommodation, offering exclusive venue hire for your school. With affordable rates and only 50 minutes from Auckland city, Hunua Falls Camp is a great choice for school groups.

Enjoy a range of amenities, including a fully-equipped commercial kitchen, a spacious hall, and an on-site chapel. A variety of sporting equipment is available for your group’s use. Engage in team-building activities on the sports fields and low ropes course, and explore much more.

Experience nature and adventure at Presbyterian Camps Houghtons Bush Camp in Muriwai, the ideal retreat for school groups. Set in a stunning bush landscape with numerous hiking trails, the camp sleeps up to 85 guests in heated cabin accommodation.

Your school can enjoy exclusive venue hire at affordable rates, perfect for educational and recreational activities and only 50 minutes from Auckland city. The camp features a fully equipped commercial kitchen, a spacious hall/dining room, sports fields and equipment, and playgrounds to ensure a fun and engaging stay.