Term 2 Trips

Year 12 tramps

3 day Kahurangi
Depart: 31 May, MHS 0900
Return: 2 June, MHS 1500

1 Day Wainui Valley
14 - 16 June (one day per class. each class goes on the same day as their weekly practical)
Depart: MHS 0830
Return: MHS 1700

Year 13 Cave Trip
Depart: 10 June,  MHS 0830
Return: MHS 1700

Year 13 Tramp, Kahurangi NP
Depart: 13 July, MHS 0830
Return: 15 July, MHS 1500

Murchison Whitewater

During the last week of March Yr13 OED relocated to Murchison, home of some of New Zealand's best whitewater rivers. Rapids were run, rolls were made and most were stoked with the improvements they made

Term One Trips

Year 12OED Kayaking day trips, Motueka river

Date: 22, 23, 24 March (one day each class)
Depart: MHS 8.30am
Return MHS 3.20pm

Bring a packed lunch and drink

Year 13OED Kayak tour, Murchison

Date: 30 March - 1 April
Depart MHS 8.30am
Return MHS 5.00pm

Welcome to 2011

Tena kotou, welcome everyone, to the start of another new year. As always we have lots of great adventures lined up for our Outdoor Education classes.
I would like to take the opportunity to welcome Greg O'Donnell to the department. Greg replaces Bernard Oliver who has moved to Te Awamutu College in the central North Island to be closer to his fiance. Greg comes to us with a wide variety of outdoor education teaching experiences, both here in NZ and offshore. His specialist areas include whitewater kayaking and rock climbing We look forward to working with him here at Motueka High School.

Waka Paddling

Another great day out with the 2010 International student crew, this time at Kaiteriteri Beach for some Waka paddling. Here's a quick taste of the action.

Kiteboarding at Rabbit Island

Warren, Wiebka and the crew from Kitescool Nelson took our International Students for their first taste of the awesome sport of Kiteboarding. We had a perfect day at Rabbit Island with just the right amount of wind for the crew to progress from the basics of controlling a trainer kite to body dragging in the water. Word is they were all ace!


Alina mastering the trainer kite



Ester and Anna. "It's just like riding a bike."


Warren coaching Assi to do a body drag.

Spring 2010

Term 3 Trips

Year 13OED Alpine training day
Location: Mt Arthur region
Depart: MHS 0830
Return: MHS 1700

Year 13OED Alpine Expedition
Location: LAke Angelus, Nelson Lakes National Park
Depart: 11 Aug 0700
Return: 13Aug 1700

Year 12OED Caving Trips (one day per class)
Location: Golden Bay
Depart: 18/19 Aug 0830
Return: 1700

9ADV Journey
Location: Abel Tasman National Park
Depart: 8 Sept 0830
Return 10 Sept 1500

12OED Sea Kayak Expedition
Location: Abel Tasman National Park
Depart: 21 Sept 0830
Return: 24 Sept 1500

Kahurangi Tramping

Year 12 students recently completed a three day tramp in Kahurangi National Park. The aim was to practice off track navigation skills so each of the three groups spent several hours with map and compass in hand, moving through the bush. Although we had our ears open, the was no calls from the recently released Friends of Flora kiwi.


Native Pufferfish



No Marlen, you can't see your house from there.



5 Star facilities



More Pufferfish



Night Nav

2010 Tuna Hoe

Late last term, members of Year 13 Outdoor Ed (and special guest steerer Keone all the way from Hawaii) entered a wama ama team in the 2010 Tuna Hoe Regatta, held on Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park. Being their first race, they entered the Novice category and placed a credible second, coming in behind a full adult crew.


A cold autumn day at Lake Rotoiti


200m into the 10km race


Tired but happy

Term 2 Trips

Yr13OEM Tramp
Location: Kahurangi National Park
Depart: 10 May, 1530
Return 11 May 1520

Yr12OED Tramp
Location: Kahurangi National Park
Depart: 18 May, 0900
Return 20 May 1520

Yr12OED Day Tramp
Location: Abel Tasman National Park
Depart: 2 June and 3 June, 0900
Return 3 and 4 June 1700

Yr13OEM Tramp
Location: Mystery
Depart: 8 June, 0900
Return 9 June 1700

Yr13 Survival Tramp
Location: Kahurangi National Park
Depart: 16 June, 0900
Return 18 June 1700

Yr 9 ADV Journey
Location: Abel Tasman National Park
Depart: 23 June, 0900
Return 25 June 1500

Boats Eye View of the Buller River

Whitewater Action In Murchison

As term one drew to a close and the days began to get shorter, 13OED headed to Murchison for some whitewater kayaking action. Although the river was at its lowest flow in several years, the team found plenty of classic rapids to run, waves to surf and even a waterfall to hang out under.



Competing for wave space - experience wins out!



Ritchie on the Matakitaki River.





Phillip and Salem carving it up on the front wave at O'Sullivans.


Pulling out the old skool moves - shudder rudder.

Term One Trips

13OED Overnight Tramp
Depart MHS 3.20pm 11 March
Return MHS 3.20pm 12 March

13OEM Murchison River Trip
Depart MHS 7.00am 15 March
Return MHS 5.00pm 16 March

12OED Motueka River Day Trip
17/18 March (Each class goes on the day of their normal prac)
Depart MHS 8.30am
Return MHS 3.20pm

13OED Murchison River Trip
Depart MHS 7.00am 30 March
Return MHS 5.00pm 1 April (no joke!)

2010

Welcome students and families to Outdoor Education at Motueka High School for 2010. We have a busy schedule of activities planned for the upcoming year including, whitewater and sea kayaking, tramping, mountaineering, rock climbing and caving.

At the end of 2009 we farewelled Lisa Harbott from the department after two years of exceptional Outdoor Ed teaching. It is Lisa's long term goal to work in the area of Paramedics and she has take the opportunity to extend herself in this field. We thank her for her contribution to the department and wish her all success in her future endeavors.

It is with pleasure that we welcome Bernard Oliver to the Department. Bernard is a graduate of the CPIT Outdoor Recreation Degree programme in Christchurch and has recently been traveling the world in search of classic whitewater in places such as the USA and Uganda. Bernard brings a wide range of skills and enthusiasm to the department.


Bernard taking a break from kayaking on the Nile


Year 13 students enjoying a start of the year Waka-ama paddle close to local landmark, Split Apple Rock.

West Coast Adventuring

As a culmination to their year’s course, last week Year 13 Outdoor Ed went on an adventure road trip to the West Coast, dressed as you would expect of Outdoor Ed students in dinner suits.



First stop, Ultimate Descents Rafting Company in Murchison. A serious dose of white water was the request and our guides Rusty and Regan certainly delivered on a high flowing Buller River. Highlights included running the Granity rapids and dropping through Ariki Falls.


The Crew above Granity rapid on the Upper Buller


Rusty and Regan briefing Ariki Falls


Running Ariki Falls (nice face Mark)

From Murchison it was on to the West Coast, passing through the Paparoa Ranges to reach the old gold mining town of Charlston, just south of Westport. In true West Coast tradition it began to rain, hard, soon after we arrived and didn’t stop until morning. Some woke to flooded tents and soaked bags.

For the next two days we caved in Te Tahi cave and rock climbed on the sea cliffs overlooking the wild Tasman Sea. A highlight for most included the climb Racing in the Streets, a full 50m climb that starts as close to the crashing ocean swell as you would want to be before ascending a classic corner climb that tops out with 360 degree views.


Mark Parfitt enjoying the Tasman Ocean licking at his heals


"On Belay"


Jay Nelson checking out the views toward the Paparoa Range


Tess Golding on Racing in the Streets


A beachside bbq dinner and bonfire topped it all off. A great trip to end the year.

All Action in the Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman National Park put on 4 seasons in 4 days for year 12OED during their sea kayak trip recently. Students experienced sun, rain, large seas and strong winds that added up to a big adventure. The last day paddle from Onetahuti back to Marahau into a strong South East wind proved to be a big day out for many.



The crew keeping the fuel supply up

Year 12 Sea Kayak Trip

Year 12 students will be spending four days sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park next week. Students will get to experience the world class golden sand beaches and estuaries of the park and with luck get up close with seals and dolphins. Details below.

Depart- 0830 Tuesday 22nd Sept
Return - 1500 Friday 25th Sept

Weather permitting the trip will take us from Marahau to Totaranui and return with camps at Mosquito Bay, Totaranui and Anchorage

Local company Marahau Sea Kayaks supply us with boats and equipment and we would like to acknowledge their ongoing support of Outdoor Education at Motueka High School. If you require top quality boats and guides give Jack and his team a call. Check out their site here.

Last of the Winter Snow

The rare and endangered Native Snow Goblin.

Year 13OED managed to sneak in to the mountains during a gap in an extended period of poor weather recently. With the avalanche risk high in Nelson Lakes National Park we stayed closer to home around the Mt Arthur region. The plan was to snow camp for two nights close to the base of the mountain and summit the North Twin. The weather played its hand though, and for the first time in over seven years, we cut the trip short by a day. The crew did get the chance to experience snow caving though as the pics show.


Tess showing the boys that you can make gourmet food in the mountains. Pasta pesto and fresh rocket anyone?


Jay and Zac go for the dehydrated approach


Digging in


Home sweet home. A cosy 1 degree above zero



Josh and Willy doing their bit for New Zealand reading week

Upcoming Trips for Senior Classes

Year 13 OED Alpine Expedition, Nelson Lakes National Park


Details

Depart MHS 0630, Wednesday 12th August
Return MHS 1700 Friday 14th August

Year 12 OED Cave Trips, Golden Bay

Details

Depart MHS 0845, Return MHS 1700
18, 19, 20th August (Whole Day trip for each class on the same day as their weekly practical).

Year 13 OEM Overnight Camp

Details

Depart MHS 0900 Monday 24th August
Return MHS 1520 Tuesday 25th August