Congratulations to Raglan Area School student Max Brighouse for winning the 2022 POET Outdoor award. Shout out to @kiwicamping who are always their for us, supporting our mahi. Thanks @peteguyan for representing POET at the prizegiving.
Congratulations Kai Kereopa, Raglan Area School's 2021 POET Award Winner.
Kai has shown an outstanding attitude in all aspects of Outdoor Education this year. He approaches every challenge with a fantastic attitude, and readily supports and encourages his peers.
Thanks to Kiwi Camping for providing our award winners with a sleeping bag and mat. And thanks to all our sponsors, including Trust Waikato - we greatly value your support. Tēnā koutou.
Congratulations Opal-Jae Herbert, Tarawera High School's 2021 POET Award Winner.
Opal-Jae showed real leadership skills during our year 9 camp. She built strong relationships not only with her peers but also went out of her way to build these relationships with our year 9 cohort. She was a great example of being Tuakana to our Teina.
Thanks to Kiwi Camping for providing our award winners with a sleeping bag and mat. And thanks to all our sponsors, including Brian Perry Charitable Trust - we greatly value your support. Tēnā koutou.
Congratulations Hamish Gillies, Melville High School's 2021 POET Award Winner.
This year Hamish has attended two POET camps at Melville High School - the Year 13 Camp with his year group, and the Year 9 Camp as a Student Leader. Whilst on these camps, and in the preparation period leading up to these camps, Hamish truly stood out for a range of reasons including his enthusiasm, helpfulness, ability to relate to younger students and support with water activities. Through attending POET camps Hamish has demonstrated his passion for Outdoor Education and activities, and his capability as a leader in these situations and therefore he is the most deserving candidate for this award from Melville High School for 2021.
Thanks to Kiwi Camping for providing our award winners with a sleeping bag and mat. And thanks to all our sponsors, including WEL Energy Trust - we greatly value your support. Tēnā koutou.
Congratulations Grant Vollebregt and Holly Aitchison, Morrinsville College's joint 2021 POET Award Winners.
Grant and Holly were Outstanding Camp Leaders for our Year 10 Camp at Kauaeranga Valley. They were personally in charge of several activities at base camp including navigation, orienteering and catering. They also helped on our Year 9 POET camp in 2020.
Thanks to Kiwi Camping for providing our award winners with a sleeping bag and mat. And thanks to all our sponsors, including Sport Waikato - we greatly value your support. Tēnā koutou.
Congratulations Troy Waldon, Forest View High School Tokoroa Official's 2021 POET Award Winner.
Troy is a keen outdoor enthusiast who was also a school leader. Participation in our Tramping group leading junior students. Now head boy 2022.
Thanks to @@kiwicamping for providing our award winners with a sleeping bag and mat. And thanks to all our sponsors, including Les Harrison Transport Group - we greatly value your support. Tēnā koutou.
Congratulations Beth Mannion, Te Kauwhata College's 2021 POET Award Winner.
Beth consistently volunteers on Junior camps where she exhibits outstanding leadership skills. She can enable students to grow in this environment. Throughout her camp experiences we have seen Beth grow and develop into someone that is extremely passionate about the Outdoors. This has led her to enrolling in the Kaitiaki Whenua course at MNIT with the goal of becoming DOC ranger.
Thanks to Kiwi Camping for providing our award winners with a sleeping bag and mat. And thanks to all our sponsors, including Fairview Mazda - we greatly value your support. Tēnā koutou.
Congratulations Nelson Thorne, Paeroa College's 2021 POET Award Winner.
Nelson has demonstrated commitment to supporting POET camps by consistently putting his hand up to volunteer for camp leader positions in years 9 and 10 throughout his time here at Paeroa college. Nelson always gives things a go and faces challenges alongside his students, has excellent skill in relationship building, great knowledge for the outdoors and communication skills.
Thanks to Kiwi Camping for providing our award winners with a sleeping bag and mat. And thanks to all our sponsors, including @lodgerealestate - we greatly value your support. Tēnā koutou.
Congratulations Jewels Manipoto, Ngaruawahia High School's 2021 POET Award Winner.
Jewels Maniapoto demonstrated exceptional leadership skills throughout the Ngaruawahia High School POET Activity Week held in term 1. From the outset, Jewels maintained a patient and kind approach when interacting with her group throughout the week and demonstrated strong initiative when challenges arose.
Thanks to @kiwicamping for providing our award winners with a sleeping bag and mat. And thanks to all our sponsors, including Rab NZ - we greatly value your support. Tēnā koutou.
Congratulations Tien Ngahere, @huntlycollege 2021 POET Award Winner.
Tien has been a fantastic leader in the outdoors this year. He is always supportive and encouraging of his peers and in particular the juniors. Tien has attended and led on all camps and outdoor activities. He has also contributed to the planning and reflective journey ensuring that our camps will continue to meet the needs and interests of our rangatahi.
Thanks to @kiwicamping for providing our award winners with a sleeping bag and mat. And thanks to all our sponsors, including Grassroots Trust - we greatly value your support. Tēnā koutou.
We're stoked to be a finalist for the Sport Waikato Award in the Commitment to Youth Engagement category. Thanks to our schools and everyone involved with POET for helping rangatahi connect to the mauri of the outdoors. It's nice to be recognised for our hard mahi! Ngā mihi nui.
This week is Conservation Week, so Sophie is sharing POET’s pre-lockdown trip to Pirongia and what we learnt about trapping. Link in description☝️
Tomorrow is the start of conservation week! Whether you're looking for teaching ideas, or want to learn more about conservation, DOC has it covered... https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/events/conservation-week/
Brian and I are now official Stand Up Paddle Board instructors after passing our SUPing qual at Takapuna Beach on Friday! Photo taken at Wellington street beach, Hamilton, where we got in one last practice before the big day! Sophie
Thanks to @sport_waikato and the Waikato Principals’ Association for inviting us to your inspiring event Beyond Sport. #waikatonz #outdooreducation #communityengagement #nzschools #wellbeing #sport
Our POET Programme Coordinator, Sophie Milne has taken over our blog today - she shares how she developed a love for the outdoors and turned it into a career - it’s well worth a read! Link in profile 👆
School holidays are upon us which often mean a whole lot of 'Yays' from the kids and a few 'ummmms' from the parents who aren't sure how to keep said kids entertained!
We've got a couple of tips for you below, but then we'd love to hear your 'holiday hacks' to keep the boredom at bay:
1) Get out in nature - walking is free and there are a tonne of tracks to choose from in the Waikato! Have a simple Google or search your local DOC website to see what's around.
2) Get them into the garden - growing things is super rewarding for kids, it connects them with where their kai comes from, and it'll save you on the grocery bill too! Now is a great time to plant lettuce, spinach and silverbeet so grab some seedlings from your local hardware or even supermarket (they normally sell them out the front of the store) and chuck them in the ground!
3) On rainy days, get the boardgames or cards out and get involved! Many a rainy day has been passed with a competitive game of family Monopoly, plus it's quality family time that doesn't feel like a chore. If you're short on the board-game side of things, remember that most libraries will rent them out!
Okay your turn - we'd love to hear what's keeping your kids entertained these holidays!
Who would be the first of your friends to get lost during the Orienteering activity?! 😂😂
It was a bummer having to cancel some of our school camps a few weeks ago but luckily we've got plenty of memories to look back on!
