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Entry Requirements
There are no formal prerequisites to any of the OP courses. The OP Leadership course does require a higher skill level and students must gain approval of the HOD Outdoor Pursuits to enter this course.
Weekly Schedule
Outdoor Pursuits is a practical based course that has students off the school campus one afternoon per week. The day that students have OP timetabled for the afternoon is the day that practical sessions are run.
For practical lessons students meet at the OP shed at the start of lunch (1.20pm). The session runs for 4 hours, finishing no later than 5.30 except in extraordinary circumstances.
Of the remaining three timetabled periods, two are used as theory lessons and the last is designated as a study period.
There is a practical lesson schedule available on the OP website, or for viewing at the OP office. It details the schedule of activities for each class for the year. A caution: the programme is quite prone to changes so it is worth checking regularly.
Assessment
Each OP course is based on assessment in a selection of Unit and Achievement Standards.
All Standards are internally assessed.
MAC Assessment and Reporting Policies and Procedures are applicable to Outdoor Pursuits assessments.
Assessment Schedules
The OP website contains a full schedule of Standards offered for assessment for each course.
Missing a Practical
If there are legitimate reasons why a student misses a practical, and this has a bearing on assessment results, then the student may be offered an alternative practical session. Because of the rigid scheduling of the course it is sometimes not possible to offer reassessment opportunities.
Students who cannot attend a practical lesson must present themselves to the STUDY class that afternoon.
Overnight Expeditions
Each course contains several overnight or multi-day trips. These trips may also be assessment events. Generally, students must endeavour to source the extra equipment and food required for these trips. Cancellations will be notified through the OP website, school office and notices.
Snow Programmes
Each course features training and assessment at a different snowsports area. It is best to have a seasons pass for that skifield. Discounted passes are available to local students.
Training and assessment is provided by qualified snowsports instructors. There may be a specific assessment event scheduled for ski and snowboard programmes.
Ski hire is available on the mountains, but students at Level 2 and 3 are advised to provide their own equipment.
The venues used for each course are:
Level 1 OP: Snow Farm and Cardrona
Level 2 OP Level 3 OP: Treble Cone
Transportation
All transportation is provided by the school or contract drivers. Students may only take their own cars by prior arrangement with the HOD. In those circumstances they are not permitted to have passengers.
Students may not drive school vehicles.
Lost Property
Clothing or equipment left in vehicles or at the OP shed will be held for a few weeks, then taken to the school office. Please ensure your clothing is named.
Ipods, cellphones and valuables
Students may use ipods and phones while travelling, but are not to use them while doing practical lessons. Staff take no responsibility for the security and safety of such devices. Valuables are best left at the OP office for the practical lessons.
