2010 Ski Programme - Year 7

form - download PDF here

As a school we believe our winter ski and boarding programme is something unique to Queenstown School, offering students an experience that is second to none. The school's ski programme has run successfully for many years giving students opportunities to experience a true winter experience in an extraordinary alpine environment.

We are specifically looking at a Ski Programme that develops the "Keys Competencies" of Participating and Contributing, Relating to Others and Managing Self.

Students use these competencies to live, learn, work and contribute as active members of their communities. More complex than skills, the competencies draw also on knowledge, attitudes and values in ways that lead to action. These continue to develop over time, shaped by interactions with people, places, ideas and things. Our students will be challenged and supported to develop them through the context of our ski and boarding programmes.

We will run a programme that is innovative at the Year 7 level. We will endeavour to cater for all of our students' needs and next learning steps.

It is paramount that our students are able to participate and contribute too, and experience being a team member looking out for others and keeping themselves safe in an alpine environment as well as having fun.

It has been decided to run two options for our Year 7 students - these are as follows:

OPTION 1

This option is for Skiers and Boarders who are beginners and ski or board at Level 1, 2 or 3.

This programme runs during Terms 2 and 3. You will be joining the Year 4, and 6 students of our school.

Students are levelled and grouped, and supported by parent helpers. Lessons with a qualified instructor are given.

The dates are as follows:

Week 9 - Monday 14 and Wednesday 17 June

Week 10 - Monday 21 and Wednesday 23 June

You will also have two days during Term 3. These will be full on and great fun. One of these days will be a Carnival Day. Dates are yet to be confirmed.

This option happens at Coronet Peak and costs $32 per day. Costings cover passes, lessons, travel and equipment. There is no discount if you have your own gear or season pass.

However if you have your own gear and a ski pass and no need for transport because your parent is helping and transporting you, the cost is $18. (there are no other exceptions to this as this is the cost of the lesson).

Option 1 is for you if you are a learner.

OPTION 2

This is for skiers and boarders who ski and board at or above Level 4. You must be able to get on and off the chair lift with ease and have your own pass, gear and equipment.

This option is based on the very successful Wakatipu High model where students are levelled and grouped according to personal needs. Students then ski or board with independence. Clear guidelines are given and boundaries set. Students are only allowed on stated runs and specific areas of the mountain. Every group of students will have a cell phone for the group with pre-set teacher numbers as do teachers with students. They are free to develop skills and key competencies. All staff ski the set areas with students. Students have regular check-in times.

This option happens on a Wednesday as part of the Elective Programme. Students will get changed into appropriate clothing at 12.00pm aned leave QPS by 12.30pm. We are travelling to Coronet Peak by bus. After skiing for the afternoon students are required to return to the bus at 4.00pm, leaving the mountain at 4.15pm. We will endeavour to be back at school by 4.45pm. Students need to be picked up and collected from QPS at this time. Transportation home must be arranged by parents or caregivers as we will not be returning in time for the school bus run.

For this option you need to have a season pass (these can be purchased for $95 from NZ Ski), a helmet, correct clothing, high visibility vest and your own ski/board equipment. The school has a limited number of helmets that can be borrowed from Mrs Roberts in the Library. We are not renting and hiring equipment on the mountain, nor are we having lessons.

This option costs $12.50 per week for transportation by bus to and from Coronet Peak. The programme runs for the duration of electives which is from Week 2 until Week 9 of the term (8 times in total).

Option Two is for you if you ski or board at Level 4 or above.

Some other queries you may have....

• We understand that some students would prefer not to participate in this experience and would like to do other things. The electives programme will still be offered on a smaller scale. For these students you will be made aware of these elective choices at a later date.
• We have had a number of parents ask about students who participate in the QAST programme and how these options impact on them. The Academy Programme has previously commenced in Year 8. At this stage we have not investigated this option. The regular QAST Programme will again run on a Monday. Your child will be marked as absent for this day.
• If you have financial concerns talk to us, payments can be made over time and arranged through our office.

Please complete the form sent home with your child and return it to school to help us with further planning.

If you have any questions please contact Justine Lock or Mr Western here at Queenstown Primary School