Year 9s Rise to the Challenge: Mt Aspiring Lodge Camp

By Richard Hall | Posted: Tuesday February 10, 2026

Our Year 9 cohort officially kicked off their hostel journey with an unforgettable trip to Mt Aspiring Lodge this past weekend.

Departing on Thursday afternoon, the boys spent Waitangi Day and Saturday immersed in the rugged beauty of the wilderness, trading their screens for team-building and fresh mountain air.

While the river was running too high for swimming, it didn’t dampen the spirits of the group. The boys turned their attention to fishing and various collaborative challenges designed to break the ice and build a cohesive unit. A major highlight — as always — was the food, which was nothing short of excellent and kept the boys fuelled for a busy itinerary.

Beyond the physical activities, the camp served a vital purpose: laying the foundation for their character development. We began the core conversations about what it means to be “Men of Oak” through our Above the Hoops behaviour code. These sessions are essential in setting the standards for how we treat one another and how we carry ourselves as members of School House.

The competitive spirit of the group was on full display during the iconic Rock Run. This year’s cohort set an incredible benchmark, clocking a time of 28:18 — the second-fastest time in recent history!

It has been a fantastic start for our Year 9s, who have consistently shown positivity and a high level of enthusiasm. A huge thank you to Mr Roe and Mr Mackinnon for their invaluable support and for joining us on this successful venture.

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