TOLA - Year 13 Students
TIHOI OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP ACADEMY FOR YEAR 13 STUDENTS
TIHOI HAS A PROVEN RECORD OF OUTDOOR AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
The Tihoi Outdoor Leadership Academy (TOLA) has been developed to provide Year 13 students with an opportunity to develop their academic and leadership skills in an intensive outdoor experience while living in a “flatting” environment. The Academy is a year-long programme operating from the St Paul’s outdoor education campus, Tihoi Venture School on the Western bays of Lake Taupo. This facility has provided six month residential programmes for Year 10 students for over 30 years and has recently undergone extensive redevelopment. The TOLA programme is unique in its ability to offer secondary based qualifications alongside recognised outdoor industry certification. The Academy caters for a minimum of eight male students with two dedicated staff providing a small group environment where experiential learning is realised.
Students live and work on site through fortnightly rotations incorporating a range of outdoor pursuits, academic classes, leadership development initiatives and implementation of a personal fitness regime. Whilst on-site students live in a five bedroom, fully furnished house in a flatting type arrangement. All day to day requirements of running a household are the students responsibility, including cooking, cleaning, shopping and budgeting, with guidance on hand to facilitate student social and personal development. Each student is expected to plan, shop and cook for one day per rotation. Time is allocated for students to shop in Taupo for food and supplies, students may also utilise this time to see movies, play sport, attend a gym or other ‘normal’ activities.
THE ST PAUL'S DIFFERENCE
ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH HOLISTIC EDUCATION.
In each rotation, students operate for seven days in a classroom based environment that utilises student passion for leadership and outdoor pursuits to foster further commitment to academic excellence. In this manner students achieve academically whilst building a deeper understanding of the theories and processes associated with the outdoors and leadership. Three days leave per rotation allows students to return home and gain some well-deserved rest.
Each fortnight students undertake four days of outdoor pursuit training aimed at providing an opportunity for personal and leadership development. Comfort zones are pushed and new ones developed as the participants learn to work with, and for, each other in what can sometimes be arduous conditions. Pursuit based activities include Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Alpine, Tramping, Sea Kayaking, Canoeing and Caving. During the year the programme provides three opportunities for expedition based learning, each conducted over a period of five days. The culmination of their time and experience at TOLA is provided through the implementation of a student centered, planned and executed 10 day expedition of their choosing.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do students have the opportunity to complete University Entrance whilst at the Academy?
Yes, All students will be required to attend normal schooling with a view to completing University Entrance. Academic classes include English, Science, History, and Physical Education.
What other qualifications are students given the opportunity to gain?
Students are given the opportunity, guidance and resources required to complete:
• NCEA Level Three with standards in Physical Education, English, Science and History.
• National Certificate in Outdoor Recreation (Leadership)(Level Three), and
• National Awards in Outdoor Activity Supervision (Level Three) & Outdoor Experiences (Level Two).
In addition to these qualifications the students also take part in courses to complete: Gold or Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award; Outdoor First Aid; Day Skippers Certificate; Bronze Medallion; and a Marine VHF Operator’s License.
Do Students get any time off from the course?
Students have term breaks aligned with normal schooling terms. In addition to this, students are given three days leave per fortnight.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Eligibility to apply for TOLA is centreed on student commitment to academic success. Students must be currently studying towards their Level Two NCEA with a view to completing Level Three or University Entrance the following year. Completion of Literacy and Numeracy requirements for University Entrance is required; however in some circumstances students may be able to undertake extra studies to complete these whilst on-site.
The programme is aimed at developing the leadership potential of students through an intensive academic curriculum and exposure to a range of demanding situations; as such a letter of recommendation from a school leader is an integral part of the application process. Applications close on July 31 of each year, following this there is a two day residential selection programme on site at Tihoi for short-listed applicants.
St Paul’s Tihoi Venture School
RD Mangakino 3492
New Zealand
tola@stpauls.school.nz
Phone 07 372 8416