What is Tihoi Venture School?Tihoi Venture School is St Paul’s Collegiate School’s residential outdoor education campus. Students live, learn and take part in outdoor challenges in a technology-free environment designed to develop independence, resilience, confidence, teamwork and strong relationships with others.
Which school owns/operates Tihoi?Tihoi Venture School is operated by St Paul’s Collegiate School, an independent co-educational day and boarding school in Hamilton, New Zealand. Tihoi is St Paul’s second campus and has been part of the school since 1979.
What makes Tihoi Venture School unique in New Zealand?St Paul’s Tihoi Venture School is the only New Zealand secondary schol programme where Year 10 students sepnd 12 weeks living and learning at a dedicated residential second campus, withoutdoor education, personal development and community living at the heart of the experience.
Where is Tihoi?Tihoi Venture School is in the central North Island of New Zealand, beside Pureora Forest and approximately 30 km from Lake Taupō. Its location provides access to native forest, rivers, lakes and the mountains of the central North Island for outdoor education and expeditions.
How long do students spend at Tihoi?From 2027, students attend Tihoi Venture School for 12 weeks, with three intakes during the year. Students live on site throughout the programme, combining academic study with outdoor education, practical responsibilities and personal development.
Do both boys and girls attend Tihoi?Yes. From 2027, both boys and girls from St Paul’s Collegiate School attend Tihoi Venture School. The first girls will attend Tihoi in 2027 as part of St Paul’s transition to full co-education.
What age are students at Tihoi?Tihoi Venture School is part of the Year 10 experience at St Paul’s Collegiate School. Students are generally around 14 to 15 years old when they attend.
What activities do students do at Tihoi?Students at Tihoi take part in a wide range of outdoor activities including tramping, mountain biking, rock climbing, abseiling, high ropes, bushcraft and survival activities. Activities take place both on the Tihoi campus and in surrounding locations including Pureora Forest, local rivers and the wider central North Island.
Do students continue academic study at Tihoi?Yes. Tihoi is a school campus, not simply an outdoor education centre. Students continue their academic learning in purpose-built classrooms while at Tihoi, alongside the outdoor education, practical learning and personal development components of the programme.
Can students use mobile phones at Tihoi?Students do not use personal mobile phones or devices during the Tihoi programme. This technology-free environment gives students time away from digital distractions and encourages face-to-face communication, stronger relationships, outdoor activity and greater involvement in their house community.
How does Tihoi develop independence and resilience?Tihoi gives students increasing responsibility for themselves and for others. Living in houses of eight, students share responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, preparing firewood and organising their house. They take on leadership roles, work through outdoor challenges, solve problems together and reflect on their experiences. This combination of responsibility, challenge and support helps students develop independence, resilience, confidence and teamwork.
Is Tihoi compulsory for St Paul’s students?Yes, all Year 10 students attend the programme and are celebrated at a special Tihoi graduation and return to school.
How is Tihoi different from a normal school camp?Tihoi is much more than a school camp. Students live at the purpose-built residential campus for 12 weeks, continue their academic studies and take responsibility for everyday life in their houses. Outdoor education is combined with academic learning, leadership, practical responsibilities, personal reflection and living without personal devices. The length and immersive nature of the programme allow students to develop skills, relationships and independence over time rather than through a short outdoor experience.
Can students from other schools attend Tihoi?No. Tihoi Venture School is St Paul’s Collegiate School’s second campus and the Tihoi programme is provided for St Paul’s students as part of their Year 10 education.