22 August 2011
From the most recent e-newsletter by Gerry Brownlee...
"Hand Knitted Beanies
I recently presented over 60 hand knitted beanies to the Boyle River Outdoor Education Centre client liaison officer Robyn Sutherland. The beanies were knitted by members of the Whakatane Community.
A lot of thought and care has gone into making these beanies. It’s great to see them being put to good practical use.
Boyle River Outdoor Education Centre, based 15km south of the Lewis Pass, has provided tailor-made outdoor education adventure based programmes for Canterbury and Westland school groups for the past 35 years.
To date over 800 beanies have been knitted and sent to Canterbury in a project coordinated by Whakatane Society of Arts and Crafts president Robyn Watchorn."
We are very grateful for these lovely colourful handknitted beanies!
16 August 2011
The first half of the year has presented its challenges for the Boyle and like many others we have been affected by the earthquake - not with shakes, but with cancellations from struggling Christchurch Schools. We have been overwhelmed by how hard affected schools have worked to move dates and re-book their camps for their students despite the problems they have been facing in the city. Thank you to all our supportive schools and we will continue to work as flexibly as we can to help you.
We have been developing a number of new Journey programmes in conjunction with schools. We also have our own
International Journey for those overseas students who want an amazing outdoor focused journey through the great NZ outdoors!
We have a new Assistant Manager - David Samson - he started in February and is keeping a close eye on the safety aspects of the Boyle.
We also have a very efficient new Office Administrator - Kit Tabor - who is keeping us in order in the office!
1st November 2010
Crisis Scenario exercise at the Boyle
Over the weekend staff members from the Boyle River Outdoor Education Centre together with members of the governing trust, the North Canterbury Alpine Trust and members of the Rangiora Tramping Club, participated in an exercise to test the readiness of the Lodge to deal with an emergency.
“We are very aware of the need to make absolutely sure that our risk management policies and strategies are robust and capable of responding quickly should an emergency occur” said the chairman of the North Canterbury Alpine Trust, Peter Allen. “We know that schools and other groups using the Boyle for outdoor education and adventure activities expect us to keep students and members of the public from harm. While it is not possible to remove all risk from the kinds of activities we offer” said Mr Allen, "it is possible to ensure that those risks are kept to the minimum and that we have in place procedures to respond should an emergency occur."
The scenario involved a high school student slipping on a rock face during an abseiling activity and falling. He is seriously injured and is airlifted from the Boyle to hospital for further treatment but dies on arrival at hospital. The scenario initially involved simulating the accident site and actions to immediately attend to the injured student. The scenario then shifted to simulating the various actions that Boyle staff and members of the Trust would need to take to manage the media and particularly the family of the injured student . The staff were required to simulate the management of the remaining students in the school party.
"The exercise proved very useful in testing our ability to handle such an emergency” Peter Allen said. “Any organization providing for the kinds of programmes that we are providing needs to ensure that its programmes follow strict safety guidelines, its staff are well trained and that our policies and procedures for dealing with an emergency are robust. This exercise has been very useful in sharpening up our ability to respond quickly and effectively.”
7th July 2010
The Boyle has teamed up with local Hanmer company Rusty Carrot Catering to provide schools with a number of catering options. More details
here.
St James Walkway news.
Anne Hut is no more. Unfortunately it has burnt to the ground leaving a 30km gap (approx 13hrs) between major huts. The cullers hut remains, however this only sleeps four. A tent is recommended.
3rd June 2010
The end of May saw the first snowfall of the season with 5cm falling down at the Lodge level. The current high pressure system and warming sunshine has seen much of the snow disappearing, leaving only the tops with their shiney white coat.
With no groups in there has been a chance to give the inside of the Lodge an new lick of paint. It certainly seems to brighten up the room! A big thanks to the Cadets Ben and Kate for their painting skills.
The new staff Chalet has arrived and has allowed staff some more room to breath. It was a very amazing sight to behold as it made it's way up on the back of a truck! Check out some photo's
here.
7th April 2010
First term has been and gone, with approximately a dozen schools and close to a thousand students being part of the Boyle experience. We had a mix of new and old staff, with 5 cadets returning to work and 2 new staff joining the 'Boyle Family'. A great bunch to work with, though I'm sure we'll see a number of them return at various times throughout the year.
With daylight saving coming to an end and temperatures dropping, winter appears to be tiptoeing around the corner. The Manuka was heavily in flower at the end of January and according to one seasoned staff member this could mean a good winter, by good I mean snow and plenty of it! I can almost hear the ski bunnies going "YAY!".
In closing a big thanks to all the staff and students of the schools who have been up here for term 1, and also big thanks to the instructors.
12th March 2010
Roncalli camps underway
Feb/March 2010
Rangiora High, St Magarets' College and Waihi have all made great use of the Boyle
8th Feb 2010
Rangi Ruru 5-day camp commences
28th Jan 2010
Six-day staff training commences
25th Jan 2010
Ranagiora High leadership group commences their three-day training camp which will in part prepare them for their role as student leaders in 2010
18th Jan 2010
Gareth Hutton commences one-year contract as fulltime instructor
11th Jan 2010
Staff successful in gaining additional qualifications. Clinton Fee now Senior Raft Guide level 3; Amy Devlin and Sam Palmer now Raft Guide Level 3
8th Jan 2010
Ex Trustee and chair of the Works Committee, 1985-92 Gavin Hawkes is acknowledged by Arthur Sutherland on behalf of the Trust at his funeral which was held at Rangiora. In '85 a weekend working bee under Gavin's leadership completed 15 tasks.....no mean feat.
17th Oct 09
A very successful Trust strategic planning meeting saw the Trust members in future focussed mood at The Boyle.
17th and 18th October 09
Successful Guradians weekend convened at The Boyle. A mixture of training, Go For It and socialising this new intiative included Trust acknowledgement of those who volunteer their services to The Boyle.
10th August 09
Aaron Agnew started at The Boyle as the fulltime Assistant Manager after completing a photoshoot for the Katmandu brochure! We welcome Aaron, ex-Outward Bound, and look forward to his leadership of Health and Safety matters and some new initiatives.
August 2009 Newsletter
27th Sept 2008....an awesome party at The Boyle
Celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Boyle River Outdoor Education Centre and the 35th anniversary of the North Canterbury Alpine Trust.
Guests included
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current and past instructors and Resident Teachers (currently titled Centre Manager);
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teachers, some of whom gained their inspiration while at the Boyle as student leaders; and
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many from the ranks of those who have contributed to the Boyle as trustees, committee members, ‘builders’ and spouses. Some of the latter have contributed by looking after family; others have ‘served’ by using a hammer and/or cleaning cloth. Click here for
more Colin reflects Arthur reflects
