EOTC · NZ Curriculum Aligned
Flying trapeze and aerial arts for school groups — purposefully designed, curriculum-aligned, and unlike anything else in Hawkes Bay.
At Hawkes Bay Flying Trapeze we believe the best learning happens when students are genuinely challenged. Our school group sessions use our Petit Volant — a purpose-built mini flying trapeze rig — alongside aerial silks and hoop to deliver an experience that sits squarely within the NZ Health & Physical Education curriculum while building the social and emotional skills teachers value most.
Our sessions are intentionally small. A maximum of 10 students means every student gets personal instruction, multiple turns on apparatus, and the space to succeed at their own pace.
Our school sessions use our mini flying trapeze — purpose-built to make the experience accessible, achievable, and still genuinely exciting for every student.
The lower platform means students can focus on the skill — the timing, the shape, the moment of release — rather than managing extreme height. Every student can step up and succeed.
2.5 metres above the ground is genuinely confronting. Stepping off the platform still takes courage. Students earn every moment of it — and the full-sized competition rig is visible on site, showing them exactly where the journey can go.
More repetitions, more learning. Because the Petit Volant is designed for fast, high-repetition instruction, students get significantly more swings per session than on a full-sized rig. Multiple turns means real skill development within a single visit — not a single go and then wait.
A visit to Hawkes Bay Flying Trapeze directly addresses achievement objectives across all four strands of the NZ HPE curriculum.
Students participate in regular physical activity using a wide range of movement skills and equipment. They use safe practices in context, set personal goals, and develop an understanding of how physical activity contributes to wellbeing.
Every aerial discipline involves applying movement concepts in real time — timing, tension, momentum, spatial awareness, body position and sequencing. Students develop and refine motor skills while building positive attitudes toward physical challenge and persistence.
Students cheer each other on, encourage peers at the platform, and celebrate every achievement. The session naturally builds trust, empathy and communication — particularly across students who may not normally interact. There is no team to dominate and no ball to hog.
Our facility is set in a rural Hawkes Bay environment rooted in sustainability. Students experience physical activity outdoors, away from screens, and engage with ideas about active living, environmental connection and community belonging.
Beyond the formal curriculum, aerial arts consistently delivers outcomes that matter in the classroom — and beyond it.
Stepping off the platform — even at 2.5 metres — is a genuine act of courage. Students learn that fear is manageable, discomfort is survivable, and doing hard things is possible. These lessons transfer directly to academic and personal challenges.
Aerial arts are impossible to master immediately. Progress is visible, personal and incremental. Students encounter — in a safe, supported way — the reality that skill takes repetition and willingness to try again. This is growth mindset made physical.
Successfully completing a physical challenge that felt impossible — in front of peers — is one of the most powerful builders of self-efficacy in young people. Circus consistently reaches students who don't identify with team sport.
No teams, no competition, no winners and losers. Every student participates individually and is supported by the whole group. Students who feel marginalised in competitive PE often find circus the first physical activity where they truly belong.
Aerial arts require students to trust their instructor, the equipment, and themselves. This requires clear verbal communication, active listening, and genuine attention to another person's physical and emotional state.
Managing anxiety before stepping onto the platform, channelling nervous energy into focus, and returning to calm after an intense physical experience are all forms of emotional regulation — guided explicitly by our instructors.
One visit is a powerful experience. A programme of visits is transformational.
Students are introduced to flying trapeze on our mini rig (2.5m platform). Multiple swings, aerial silks and hoop rotations. Every student succeeds. Confidence is built.
Students return with earned confidence and focus on developing specific skills. Progress is visible and motivating. The full-sized rig is introduced as a goal.
For students ready to take the next step, our full competition rig (8m platform, full safety net) offers a genuinely thrilling progression. A moment they will never forget.
| Session length | Half-day — approximately 2 hours, including safety briefing, warm-up, and apparatus rotations |
| Group size | Maximum 10 students per session. Ideal for keeping instruction personal and ensuring every student gets multiple turns |
| Ages | Years 4 and up (ages 8+). Please contact us to discuss younger groups |
| What's included | Flying trapeze on the Petit Volant, aerial silks, and aerial hoop. All safety equipment, harnesses and instruction provided |
| What to bring | Comfortable activewear. No loose jewellery. Closed-toe shoes for arrival |
| Supervision | Teacher/adult supervision as per MOE EOTC guidelines. All sessions run by qualified instructors with current first aid certification |
| Risk management | Full written risk assessment available on request. All participants harnessed and supervised at all times |
| Location | 958 Puketapu Rd, Napier 4182 — approximately 15 minutes from central Napier |
| Larger classes | For classes larger than 10, we recommend booking consecutive half-day sessions so every student gets the full experience |
| Accessibility | We welcome students of all physical abilities. Contact us prior to your visit to discuss any specific needs |
We believe teachers should experience this before their students do. We run complimentary half-day taster sessions exclusively for teachers and school staff. Come and fly — and see exactly what your students would experience.
We'd love to talk through how we can tailor a session to your class and curriculum goals. Get in touch to check availability, discuss pricing, and request our full curriculum alignment document.