Level 2 Outdoor Pursuits (L2OED)

Overview

The Level 2 Outdoor Pursuits course is our longest running course. It is open to any Year 12 student and you do not need to have any previous outdoor experience to do this course. The activities are suitable for students of any ability level yet offer scope to challenge each individual.

What will I learn?

The practical pursuits may include: 

• Rock climbing: Aspects of climbing covered include bouldering, top roping, belaying, lead climbing and abseiling. 

• Kayaking/Canoeing: Kayaking, canoeing or rafting on moving water. This includes the option for an extended journey day trip on the Haast River in 2024. 

• Tramping: Tramping skills are covered during an optional multi-day tramp on the Routeburn track (or similar). 

• Mountain biking: Group rides and skill sessions on local tracks and at Bike Glendhu.

• Alpine skills and Snow-caving:  An optional but highly recommended trip for students to build and sleep in snow shelters at the Snow Farm. 

• Skiing or snowboarding: An optional 5-week programme of snowsports lessons at Treble Cone culminating in assessment towards Unit Standards in skiing or snowboarding. Alternate study options arranged for students who do not do this option. 

Note: Actual programme may vary depending on availability of specialist instructors and access to specialist equipment. 

Learning takes place through a mixture of theory and practical instruction sessions, classroom discussion and activity reviews. One afternoon per week is allocated to practical lessons.

The course themes of teamwork, personal challenge, self-responsibility, communication skills and goal setting are all introduced and reinforced through each activity. Each experience is reviewed to enable transference of learning back into future activities, or to other aspects of school life.

What should I have done already?

There are no formal pre-requisites. All activities are structured to allow you to learn everything from scratch. If you do have previous experience you will have an opportunity to take more responsibility for helping the group. Activities can be differentiated to allow each student to be challenged at the level that suits them.

How do I apply for a place in Outdoor Pursuits?

There are limited places available to do Outdoor Pursuits at MAC as class numbers and sized are limited to ensure we can offer a safe programme. 

Students who wish to be considered for a place in an OP class need to select it as a preferred course in their subject choices. We also strongly recommend prospective students complete the OP COURSE APPLICATION FORM which will help us in our selections. If we need to select students who will be offered places in L2OP then we will consider things such as aptitude for OP, fortnightly grade trends, attendance data, pastoral records and performance other school EOTC events (including L1OP if they are doing that course). 

Sometimes timetable constraints may also prevent a student from doing OP. 

Students who are unsuccessful in being placed in an OP class in Year 12 will be given preferential consideration to enrol in OP in Year 13. 

Assessment outline