MANUKA PRIMARY SCHOOL
EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
VISION : Inspiring today's learners for tomorrow's world ...
Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) is defined as all those events that occur outside the classroom, both on- and off-site, including all curriculum, sporting, and cultural activities. It also includes overseas trips.
The school's EOTC activities support and enhance the New Zealand Curriculum.
Students learn through experiences appropriate to their needs and environment. Students need a variety of experiences for maximum development, and should be given opportunities to explore and learn from the world outside the classroom.
EOTC programmes, events, activities, and experiences:
enhance learning, through a variety of well-designed, first-hand experiences
provide experiences for students that encourage awareness of the values and philosophies of the tangata whenua, and with other cultures within the school community
increase students' knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the school area, local district, and other familiar and unfamiliar places
promote ecological awareness and personal responsibility towards the environment
develop students' skills in observation, recording, and organisation
help students develop self-confidence and a sense of adventure
assist students in their social development by placing them with others in unfamiliar situations
help students develop an attitude of responsibility, particularly towards their own safety and that of others
provide students with opportunities to work together in a group.
follow Ministry of Education regulations and guidelines on safety and supervision, risk management, leadership, and legal requirements
ensure adequate ongoing training for all staff involved in EOTC, including support staff attending approved workshops, seminars, courses and training, and assessment schemes.
Taking students out of the school environment can provide them with life-changing experiences which they will remember for the rest of their lives. It can also put them at risk and into unfamiliar situations. Careful planning and preparation is needed to minimise risks and make the activity a positive experience for each student.