Huanui College is excited to announce the new Experiential Education programme. This programme is for all students and aspires to embrace the very best aspects of Outdoor / Environmental Education and Sustainability, alongside Well-being / Positive Education and Community Service.

“Our challenge is to facilitate the use of these incredible outdoor learning environments both on-site and further afield, in a way that fulfils its potential to improve learning outcomes. Much of this Mahi will involve connecting students and teachers with the appropriate experts from within the community and from around the world.

We want to assure parents that the connections between student well-being, movement for learning and academic outcomes continue to be at the forefront of our approach”. 

At the core of the Junior and Middle programmes lie the Guardianship / Kaitiakitanga of the natural Taonga (treasures) found within the extensive Huanui College property. These Taonga include a freshwater spring, swamp, 1km of stream, several pockets of native bush, as well as the flora and fauna which reside within. The exploration and enhancement of these areas will not only link cross-curricular learning, but also act as a catalyst for the promotion of student well-being as a beginning and spread to include community and societal health. 

- Positive Education programme delivered primarily outdoors
- Spring / Stream restoration / Riparian planting
- Data collection (flora / fauna)
- The Huanui Award (teamwork / leadership)

The implementation of the Junior and Middle programmes, with such lofty environmental and social aspirations, signals a great opportunity for our seniors to step into meaningful leadership roles.

Through consistent outdoor interactions with younger students from both Huanui College and nearby primary schools, senior students will learn to exhibit the compassion, tolerance and integrity found in great leaders.

This will be complimented by opportunities to develop innovation, creativity, determination and confidence when assisting in the direction and functioning of the environmental initiatives through real-life communications with stakeholders and community representatives. In addition, the programme will offer senior students on-site training in bush-craft and self sufficiency skills, as well as opportunities to participate in off-site outdoor adventures designed to foster a love for the environment and for conquering challenges.