Curriculum & Resources

Students need to learn in a variety of contexts in order to gain the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values required to enjoy a healthy lifestyle; take responsibility for their own safety; form positive and respectful relationships with their peers, their teachers and the environment. Learning beyond the classroom can support the direction and contribute to the breadth of learning described by the national curriculum.

A visit to Wai-O-Tapu will meet the needs of the NZC in that the EOTC experience will work towards producing students who are confident, connected, actively involved, and lifelong learners. Sections of the NZC which can be covered are:

  1. NZC PRINCIPLES – learning to learn and future focus, VALUES of inquiry and curiosity, ecological sustainability,
  2. KEY COMPENTENCIES such as managing self, relating to others and participating and contributing. Authentic contexts are essential for developing the key competencies.

Wai-O-Tapu is a rich site for developing, practicing, and demonstrating the key competencies in a range of contexts within and across learning areas beyond the classroom.

A SOCIAL INQUIRY APPROACH can be followed which will lead students to develop deeper conceptual understandings. Students can examine issues, ideas and themes by:

  • asking questions, gathering information and background ideas, and examining relevant current issues.
  • exploring and analysing people’s values and perspectives.
  • reflecting on and evaluating the understandings they have developed and the responses that may be required – students ask how the learning is significant for them.

This education website at present meets the needs of the achievement objectives in the Social Sciences learning area in Geography Level 6 and 8 but may be extended to include other levels and other learning areas such as Science.

EOTC Guidelines / EOTC home / EOTC / Education Outside The Classroom

The New Zealand Curriculum / Curriculum documents / The New Zealand Curriculum Online – NZ Curriculum Online

Secondary school Geography teachers bringing field trips to Rotorua when booking a visit to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland through the Rotorua Education Network website will be able to access N.C.E.A Geography student tasks and assessment schedules.

On a visit to the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, teachers can choose from either external or internal Geography achievement standards for which their students can gather information.