Back to nature for Collegiate students

A FIVE-WEEK stint away from cellphones and text messages would be a time of growth for Wanganui Collegiate students at the school's new outdoor education centre, principal Craig Considine said on Sunday.
The dedication service for the Aramea Outdoor Education Programme at Mangatepopo School Camp, on the western edge of Tongariro National Park, went ahead despite bad weather on Sunday.
The programme is for Year 10 students and will provide five weeks of outdoor education and experience for the first intake of 44.
Teacher Don Humphrey will lead the group into the depths of the natural environment in the park and surrounding areas.
The dedications began with a welcome from Mr Considine. He said the students would be without their mobile phones, a challenge in itself.
"They will have a delightful five weeks without the distraction of modern day technology.
"It will be a time of growth for both the students and their parents, who have given permission for them to leave home for this period of time".
Although Mt Ruapehu was hidden beneath rain cloud, Mr Considine reminded the group of the challenges and experiences they would encounter over the next five weeks in their relationship with the mountain.
Mr Humphrey joined the school's chaplain in a reading and the gathered crowd recited the school prayer.
The chaplain then blessed the campus.
Collegiate's board of trustees chair, Jeremy Austin, was applauded when he decided to put his five-page speech back in his pocket because of the rain. He declared the Aramea Outdoor Education Campus open with just a few words of praise for those involved.
The dedication was followed by a welcome afternoon tea before guests made a tour of the complex and students said their farewells.
Mr Considine ended his speech by saying: "As the first group of 'Arameans', honour this opportunity given to you by your parents; we look forward to your return and your stories of the weeks that follow."