Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions are a work in progress - some links etc may not work just yet. Please email me @ safeoutdoorsnz@gmail.com if you have any specific questions.

Who?

Nature’sCool is aimed at any child in the wider Whangarei area, who would benefit from a regular "One Day" per week immersed in an outdoor learning environment within a child- led, free play framework (we think this is every kid!) 

We offer a regular Full Day break from traditional schooling (as permitted under the Education Act 1989 - with permission from your principal / Board of Trustees).  Full Day options for Home Schooler's and everyone else.

Staff: 

Nature’sCool will be staffed primarily by Hilary Kirner & Emma Craig but may be complemented by the addition of Luke Kirner and other instructors / special guests. (See ‘Meet the crew’ section). Safe Outdoors NZ Ltd takes great pride in it’s highly trained / qualified and experienced staff.  

Nature’sCool runs on a Maximum ratio of 1:7.

How?

Section 71 of the Education Act 1989 

A board may authorise any students to make visits; outside the school premises; and where the board has done so, a student shall be deemed to be attending the school while undertaking the course, obtaining the experience, or making the visit.

Safe Outdoors NZ Ltd is not required to be registered as an alternative provider, nor do we require auditing under the Adventure Activities Regulations. An agreement is required between the parents and the principal. Safe Outdoors NZ will work through this process with both parties as required on a case by case basis. This process will likely begin with the parents outlining the key reasons why the programme would suit their child. 

Safe Outdoors would then assist to develop this document to a point where it can be presented to the principal in an official application. It would be usual that the principal would be notified of this process, and given sufficient time to make a decision.

Please note: Nature’sCool participants will be expected to take part in the programme for the duration of the term. We will develop some further policy around this, but essentially, schools will likely not release children under a ‘casual’ basis, and must only release children to an alternative education provider. Some schools may require Safe Outdoors NZ to supply them with attendance information. 

Safe Outdoors NZ Ltd views Nature’sCool as being complementary of the child’s traditional schooling, and will seek opportunities to engage with Principals and Teachers in order to ascertain the potential impacts of the programme for any given student. 

How much?

Nature'sCool - Base  = $65 per day / kid  ($650 for a Ten week term).

Nature'sCool - Bus = $75 per day / kid ($750 for a Ten week term).

It is expected that students will sign up for the entire term, and payment will be required two weeks in advance, with a two week cancellation period in force. 

Note: I have really battled with setting the price! I would love to make it cheaper and cringe at the thought of families getting excited about this and then not being able to afford it.  The reality is that in order to have the highest quality, safe, fun and educational programme, we need to pay for the very best instructors and we need to maintain low ratios. 

When

Nature'sCool - Base: (Huanui) -   Fridays   (8.30am - 3.30pm)

Nature'sCool - Bus:  (Tutukaka Coast) - Wednesdays (8.30am - 3.15pm)

Nature'sCool - Bus:  (Mair Park / Whāngarei) - Thursdays (8.30am - 3.15pm)

Where

Nature'sCool - Base

Nature’sCool will take place on the Huanui College property in Glenbervie, Whangarei. This property includes several large pockets of native bush, a fresh water spring, a swamp / wetland, over 1km of stream, rolling paddocks, as well as horses & farm animals (chickens, pigs, sheep etc). It is our intention to build a number of large shelters to escape to during periods of heavy rain.

The agreement between Safe Outdoors NZ Ltd and Huanui College is based around ‘Nature’sCool’ being mutually beneficial to both parties. There is no exchange of money, Nature’sCool is simply granted access to the property in exchange for the positive promotion associated with this venture.

In addition, Luke Kirner (me) currently has a full time teaching role for Huanui College. This programme is largely based around Well-being and the “Exploration and Enhancement of the Natural Environment, as a means for Exploring and Enhancing our own Well-Being”. Nature’sCool provides an opportunity to experiment with ideas and activities, including the riparian planting of the stream. Hilary and Emma are the main facilitators of the Nature'sCool programme.

Both Safe Outdoors NZ Ltd and Huanui College agree that Nature’sCool will compliment the aspirations of the Huanui Outdoor Programme and vise versa.