Inspiring and energising tamariki
Stepping outside comfort zones
Keen to get started?
Find out more about how the WPC can work at your school
With the William Pike Challenge, your kura receives the framework and support you need to deliver an exceptional programme of EOTC, designed by the William Pike Challenge, specifically for the New Zealand environment and curriculum – but can be adapted anywhere.
Over the school calendar year, your ākonga will step outside of their comfort zone with a multi-faceted programme that includes: skilling up to explore New Zealand’s great outdoors; discovering new skills and passions, and learning firsthand how to contribute with community service projects.
Keen to get started?
How the William Pike Challenge works
Your school receives the framework and support you need to deliver an exceptional programme of EOTC, designed by William Pike, specifically for the New Zealand environment and curriculum.
Students step out of their comfort zones with a programme that includes: skilling up to experience NZ’s outdoors; discovering new passions, and contributing through community service projects.
We make it easy
The WPC team has been running this programme across New Zealand for 12 years now, and over that time close to 30,000 Year 6-13 ākonga have taken part and grown in stature, confidence and life skills as a result.
When you sign up your school, we make it as easy as possible, with our online Challenge Hub for teachers and students to track progress; provide ideas and resources to draw on; have support staff on hand to answer questions, and provide everything you need to get started at your kura.
“The William Pike Challenge taught me how to step outside my comfort zone and take on any challenge.”
As a young person who struggled with being outside her comfort zone, Year 8 student Audrey from Loburn School was able to learn the skills and tools to overcome her fears and anxieties about trying new things. Making new friends through her WPC journey, helping out in her community and building her resilience were highlights of the challenge.
Why New Zealand schools trust the William Pike Challenge
- 87% of students said that the WPC has helped them become better at persevering and not giving up
- 86% of parents said that the WPC has helped their child become more confident in themselves
- “Giving students opportunities to engage with the Outdoors, Community Service and Passion Projects – for me that is where we can make a difference. I feel empowered as a teacher, it gives us extra weaponry that the average teacher doesn’t have.” – WPC – Challenge Teacher.
Giving students the confidence to handle any situation that comes their way.
Some of the schools in our programme
Students, parents and educators have given us great feedback on the William Pike Challenge
The WPC has helped me figure out how to be resilient, more confident and really connect in my community. It was so rad.
2024 STUDENT
AUCKLAND
Not all kids are academic and the WPC gives them something they can be good at and focus on during the year which is really neat for them. It also gives them confidence knowing they have tried something new and then they think “I might as well give everything a go” – instilling that self-belief. It is one of the best things our school has ever done.
STUART PRIDDY
LOBURN TEACHER
We are to grateful for the WPC. The teamwork and fun my child experienced has been amazing. Staff at school have been awesome and encouraging. My son has made new friends and has even improved his writing skills. He’s matured emotionally and is ready for high school. The intermediate years are perfect for this programme. I’ve loved doing the community service with my son too.
GEORGIA
AUCKLAND PARENT
