Education outside the classroom

Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) is defined as all those events that occur outside the classroom, both on and off-site. This includes all curriculum, sporting, and cultural activities.

Taking students out of the classroom environment can provide them with life-changing experiences. Careful planning and preparation is taken to minimise any risks to make EOTC activities a positive experience for every student.

Resilience is one of our three key Mānuka School values. EOTC provides students with opportunities to challenge themselves in a safe and structured environment.

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.

Manuka Primary School