Going to School in New Zealand
Yesterday I dropped Dean off for a week long "ropes styled" sailing trip where he'll learn to sail, gain some leadership skills and hopefully have an awesome time in the Marlborough Sounds. Last week I had the pleasure of joining Andrew's class as they spent the week at Abel Tasman Park. And, a month ago Dean spent a week in the Nelson Lakes District hiking and really roughing it in the backcountry where they practically slept under the starts. School in New Zealand is fun.
I am ambivalent about a lot of things as far as living in New Zealand goes. But, I have no doubt that Dean and Andrew are having an amazing school experience. I am loath to compare the US system with NZ. It's just not fair; it's apples to oranges. The mantra I always invoke is 4.3 versus 311 million people - that pretty much explains everything. Nonetheless, here I live on this little island in the middle of nowhere. And, because of the numbers and the natural beauty of this country, our kids get a school experience very different from the one they would have had in America.
Every other year New Zealand school children go on a camp. This begins as early as Year 4 (which is third grade) and continues through their "college" (high school) years. Andrew's camp was at a hut abutting Abel Tasman Park. Kids sleep in bunks, 4 to a room (probably a lot like US summer camp). The teacher, an administrator and some volunteer parents join the trip – we're in a separate bunkhouse and we even got our own rooms!
I had the pleasure of spending two nights with Andrew's class. Once we settled at Marahau the first thing the kids did was change into their togs (swimsuits) and throw themselves into the sea. It doesn't matter that the water is in the low 60s, air temperature mid 60s maybe. That's what they do. We spent the day swimming (even me) collecting sea creatures, building sand castles and just having fun. At night we played games, had a bonfire and made s'mores. Everyone went to bed happy and tired.
Next day we took the kids on a 14k hike (that's 8.4 miles). Not bad for 9 – 11 year olds. Now, don't think they are all gunning to go. Even though sport is a major focus here, for some kids this was the farthest they'd ever had to walk and it was hard work. It didn't help that it was raining. But, I thought it was really cool that we did it despite the rain. We took a water taxi back from Anchorage which made it all worth it, even for the most reluctant trampers.
What I saw in this camp was amazing. While there's lots of fun and games, there's also work and a building of personal responsibility and community. The kids help prepare meals, clean bathrooms, sweep floors and do their own dishes. They are expected to keep their rooms tidy. But, they also get to laugh and run around freely. They see their teacher, their principal and some lucky parents in a new environment. I had the pleasure of getting to know kids I might not otherwise meet (especially the girls).
As I reflect on school here, I sometimes worry that it's not rigorous enough, that there's not enough homework. Too much play and not enough work! I wonder whether our boys will be adequately prepared for university and the big, bad world. I am assured that capable Kiwis leave the system and thrive as adults. And, when I go to Andrew's school and see all the kids outside laughing and playing; when I think maybe they are getting to be kids just a little bit longer than they would have in Texas, when I have the assurance that they are happy, I feel good. I know that they will be just fine.
