Life-changing adventure for one
Isabel Dickson, 16, attends St Peter's College and was spurred on by her mum to either pick a team sport, or head away for a natural retreat.
Given the choice, and considering her previous experience with a sailing course, Isabel said she thought it was a good idea to spend some time Outward Bound.
"I'd already been on something similar and I heard Outward Bound was supposed to be a life-changing thing.
"It seemed versatile, that it pushed you, so I thought it sounded good," she said.
After funding through selling shirts, saving money, a cheeky donation from the Mataura Licensing Trust and of course a bit of help from her parents, the course was in sight.
Isabel would spend 21 days based primarily in Anakiwa pushing her limits in the great outdoors.
Alongside the other Outward Bound members, she sailed, trained, hiked, kayaked and became very familiar with New Zealand's nature.
Isabel said one of her favourite memories was getting out on to the water, with some fantastic sights.
"My favourite was the sailing — there was a lot of cool wildlife. We saw dolphins, harmless jellyfish you could swim with.
"When it got dark there was bioluminescence in the water, so that was really cool," she said.
It was not just fun in the outdoors, as Isabel said she gained a lot of insight into herself and a new way of pushing forward into the world.
"You learned to be a lot more social and confident, you're living with 13 other strangers. It pushes you a wee bit.
"A lot of patience, you don't know what you'll do every day so instead of thinking forwardly, you're thinking in the now," she said.
Isabel said the mixture of challenging tasks and workshops have changed the way she will go out into the world and now looks out with a greater confidence.
"It's just good. You shouldn't be scared to be who you are," she said.
Even her fear of heights was challenged, but luckily Isabel said she was not facing the challenge alone.
"Basically we did like cliff jumping, it was just a little bit shorter. It pushed me out of my comfort zone," she said.
"But having everyone support you, so when you do go out of your comfort zone everyone's there to help,"Isabel thanked everyone who helped her get to Outward Bound, with grants given by the Mataura Licensing Trust, who gave $6000 to get Isabel to the life changing course.
The River Valley Lions, Pakeke Lions, the Rotary Club, Gore RSA, and the Waikaka Hey-day committee also gave a "huge amount" to help out, alongside other businesses.
gerrit.doppenberg@alliedpress.co.nz
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Scoop
Western Bay Teens Awarded 2025 Outward Bound Scholarships
Press Release – Acorn Foundation Funded by generous Acorn donors and community partners, the scholarships enable students who show leadership potential, service to others and financial need to experience Outward Bounds renowned outdoor challenges. Tauranga, 10 June 2025 The Acorn Foundation marked its ninth consecutive year of supporting local rangatahi with a celebration at The Kollective co-working space, honouring recipients of the 2025 Outward Bound scholarships. Twelve Year 12 students from seven Western Bay of Plenty secondary schools – Tauranga Boys' College, Tauranga Girls' College, Ōtūmoetai College, Pāpāmoa College, Te Puke High School, Katikati College and Whakatāne High School – travelled to Anakiwa in the Marlborough Sounds to complete the three-week Tangaroa Watch course. Funded by generous Acorn donors and community partners, the scholarships enable students who show leadership potential, service to others and financial need to experience Outward Bound's renowned outdoor challenges. The programme builds resilience, confidence and teamwork, skills students bring back to their schools, whānau and wider community. Acorn Foundation CEO Lori Luke thanked donors for investing in young people's futures and acknowledged the ongoing partnership with Outward Bound New Zealand, which selects candidates in consultation with local schools. Acorn Scholarship Specialist, Jo Wilson, says 'Receiving opportunities to build confidence is such a gift for young people. This course really puts them on a pathway to success, having the confidence to put themselves forward and seize future opportunities. We are so fortunate to be able to provide this opportunity to so many students via Roy and Mary's foresight and generosity' Congratulations to the following schools with scholarship winners: Katikati College – Jazmin Cameron, Dion Davis Ōtūmoetai College – Jackson Jane Papamoa College – Cyan John, Arwen Christian Tauranga Boys' College – Trace Taikato-Smith, Caleb Dix Tauranga Girls' College – Jade Lee-Kerkhof, Casey Ockwell Te Puke High School – Georgia Stapleton, Sebastian Rollinson Whakatāne High School – Jay McKane, Reagan Farmer About Acorn Foundation: The Acorn Foundation, the local community foundation in the Western Bay of Plenty, enables generous people to make a bigger impact in their communities, by investing the funds and distributing the returns to causes that matter – forever. The Acorn Foundation is the community foundation for the Western Bay of Plenty. Since 2003, our 700-plus donors have enabled us to distribute more than $20 million, including $3.2 million in 2024, to charities, scholarships and community initiatives that make our region stronger—today and forever.
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Scoop
Western Bay Teens Awarded 2025 Outward Bound Scholarships
Tauranga, 10 June 2025 The Acorn Foundation marked its ninth consecutive year of supporting local rangatahi with a celebration at The Kollective co-working space, honouring recipients of the 2025 Outward Bound scholarships. Twelve Year 12 students from seven Western Bay of Plenty secondary schools – Tauranga Boys' College, Tauranga Girls' College, Ōtūmoetai College, Pāpāmoa College, Te Puke High School, Katikati College and Whakatāne High School – travelled to Anakiwa in the Marlborough Sounds to complete the three-week Tangaroa Watch course. Funded by generous Acorn donors and community partners, the scholarships enable students who show leadership potential, service to others and financial need to experience Outward Bound's renowned outdoor challenges. The programme builds resilience, confidence and teamwork, skills students bring back to their schools, whānau and wider community. Acorn Foundation CEO Lori Luke thanked donors for investing in young people's futures and acknowledged the ongoing partnership with Outward Bound New Zealand, which selects candidates in consultation with local schools. Acorn Scholarship Specialist, Jo Wilson, says 'Receiving opportunities to build confidence is such a gift for young people. This course really puts them on a pathway to success, having the confidence to put themselves forward and seize future opportunities. We are so fortunate to be able to provide this opportunity to so many students via Roy and Mary's foresight and generosity' Congratulations to the following schools with scholarship winners: Katikati College - Jazmin Cameron, Dion Davis Ōtūmoetai College - Jackson Jane Papamoa College - Cyan John, Arwen Christian Tauranga Boys' College - Trace Taikato-Smith, Caleb Dix Tauranga Girls' College - Jade Lee-Kerkhof, Casey Ockwell Te Puke High School - Georgia Stapleton, Sebastian Rollinson Whakatāne High School - Jay McKane, Reagan Farmer About Acorn Foundation: The Acorn Foundation, the local community foundation in the Western Bay of Plenty, enables generous people to make a bigger impact in their communities, by investing the funds and distributing the returns to causes that matter – forever. The Acorn Foundation is the community foundation for the Western Bay of Plenty. Since 2003, our 700-plus donors have enabled us to distribute more than $20 million, including $3.2 million in 2024, to charities, scholarships and community initiatives that make our region stronger—today and forever.
Otago Daily Times
09-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Principal brings community focus
St Peter's College board of trustees member Ceri Macleod and principal Kieran Udy are making changes to reflect the community's needs. PHOTO: GERRIT DOPPENBERG. Small changes beget the future for St Peter's College, as the school moves to better reflect its community's needs. Principal Kieran Udy, who joined the school earlier in the year, is vocal about his desire to better connect with the community. Now two terms on, Mr Udy said they have been working to implement and respond to the community and parent voice, tweaking where needed. "At this stage it's just some minor changes. The whanau time system is changing, because of student and parent voice. "There's increased time for numeracy and literacy in the junior school, our seniors are doing some stuff around careers and future-focused education," he said. School spirit had been a big focus as well, with the house competitions picking up in a big way, as well as St Peter's Day being expanded on. "It's been great. Traditionally it's just been a mass, but we had a range of sports and art activities for students, "We finished the day with a tractor pull, house versus house and we'll reveal the winner early next term," he said. The curriculum will also be adapted next year, with the school hoping to better reflect opportunities for students in the local area. Mr Udy said this would not only help with a transition into the workforce for leavers, but would also better connect and retain young people in Gore. "We're saying what are local industries, what are the opportunities there, and how can we align what we learn at school with them?" he said. The board of trustees' presiding member Ceri Macleod said this was a great step to help students self-actualise into adulthood. "Our focus in on our students and how we can help them the best they can, whatever direction they take. "The Southland economy is thriving and we want to show our students what career pathways are available locally. "There are so many exciting opportunities, on our doorstep," she said. St Peter's College was in a great place, Mrs Macleod said and she was excited to see how the school will continue to evolve — maintaining its focus on academic excellence while expanding on vocational opportunities for students. "Our students are amazing and our focus remains on helping ensure they thrive and excel. "They're an incredible bunch, supported by equally strong staff and leadership team, of which Kieran is leading. "I think we've got a very strong, positive future ahead, and I'm very privileged to be involved here," she said.
