Outward bound participating students. Standing: Christine Brewster [funder], Tiaki Freeman, Philippa Dunbar, Nelly Bourke, Briar Matthews, Rowan Higgins, George Searle, Jessica Andrews, Olivia Clark, Annabelle Smith, Andrew Croskery [funder]. Kneeling: Marina Adams [funder], Iverson Vainikolo-Savaliga, Nevengka Valakvi-Jellie, Nikita Rood, Jordyn Matthews. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
GRACE PRIOR
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For 21 days, a group of Wairarapa secondary school students pushed themselves mentally and physically in a range of activities held at the Outward Bound School in Anakiwa and its surrounds in the Queen Charlotte Sound.
Solway College year 12 student Jessica Andrews was one of the 13 students from seven Wairarapa secondary schools who attended the special Outward Bound course.
She said going to Outward Bound presented an opportunity for her to overcome mental challenges and grow her confidence.
During their time at Outward Bound, students learned to build courage and resilience and experience success as a member of a team, identify their own values, develop an appreciation for the natural environment and experience being of service, Outward Bound school director Simon Graney said.
He said most students found their course “transformative”.
“While there were both mental and physical challenges throughout the entire course, the most challenging part was overcoming the mental ones,” Andrews said.
“The hardest part was not letting my mind control me.
“When I was tired or wanting to give up, it was definitely a challenge not to, and to push on through.
“I found that when I didn’t give up, I was actually able to overcome the challenges and make it to the end.
This showed me to not stand back from challenges but to face them.”
Andrews said her experience at Outward Bound taught her some “valuable skills and lessons” that she would carry with her through the rest of her life.
“I feel as though my experiences have helped to change my mindset to be more positive and this could change the way I feel about my future plans.”
Andrews also learned “to make the most of every opportunity and live in the moment because a lot of the time you are only given one chance to do something so it’s really important to take these opportunities before they are gone”.
Outward Bound has been transforming the lives of New Zealanders since 1962, with more than 65,000 New Zealanders attending courses designed to help them to reach their full potential through outdoor adventure.
The Outward Bound course is made possible through the generous support of Trust House Foundation, Wairarapa Building Society, Carterton District Council, Greytown Trust Lands Trust, Marina and Matt Adams, Masterton Trust Lands Trust, OB Wairarapa Fund, and Macpac.
