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Touring is an important aspect of Oakhill Rugby and a tradition has developed since 1997 that our senior boys playing opens rugby have the opportunity to tour overseas. It is a great experience for our senior players as they engulf the culture of various countries as well as developing their rugby. Countries toured in the past include England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. The 2016 tour group travelled to France and Spain for the first time and in 2018 the tour group visited the US.

There is no greater experience for a language student than to be immersed in the language and culture they are studying. Students at Oakhill who elect to study French or Italian in Years 9-12 therefore have the opportunity to participate in Language and Culture tours of France and Italy.

The tours are of approximately 17-18 days in duration. Students visit a number of key cities and famous landmarks during this time. They are also provided an opportunity to participate in language courses and/or school visits.

Students return to Oakhill with a wealth of experiences in using the language in real-world contexts such as shopping, ordering food and drinks in restaurants, asking for directions and interacting with native speakers in the target language.

Every year since 2005 Year 9 and 10 students at Oakhill have been offered the chance to venture outside the classroom and travel to either Vietnam or Cambodia to gain knowledge and understanding of different cultures.

For students of History and Geography the tours offer amazing opportunities to visit first hand places such Halong Bay, the Cu Chi Tunnels, Long Tan, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the majestic Angkor complex, the infamous ‘killing fields’ and much more.

The concept behind the New Zealand tour is to motivate and inspire our Year 12 Science students in two ways. Firstly, to enhance their learning of course content for the HSC. Secondly, to allow them to experience the unknown and the unfamiliar, challenging mind, spirit and body – with the focus on building self confidence.

Our 9 day tour included a look at the New Zealand culture, the ever-changing face of the Earth’s surface and including some physically and mentally demanding challenges. The geology study included the peaks of Mt Ruapehu (2650m), the massive Caldera of Lake Taupo, the ever shaking active marine-volcano of White Island and unique volcanic activity of Mt Tarawera. The chemistry of volcanic regions were studied at Hells Gate Geothermal Park and the Waimungu Valley. Students experienced Whitewater Rafting, , swimming in the sulphur rich ocean water in the Bay of Plenty,hiking and some of NZ’s best adrenalin based activities.