ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a brief review of adolescence and its changing social environment, as well as an outline of the differences between New Zealand primary and secondary schools. A review of secondary school break-times and playgrounds is included together with consideration of challenges and opportunities for secondary school students and staff. The chapter considers the transition period and includes illustrative examples from a United Nations project that gathered student input into the design and provision of outdoor spaces at secondary schools. In contrast with the self-centredness of childhood friendships, adolescence is marked by growing independence from family, spending more time with and seeking deeper relationships with peers. Social relationships during adolescence have significant influences on many aspects of their lives. Observations and anecdotal information suggests that a majority of New Zealand secondary school playgrounds consist of open spaces, grassed sports fields and hard surface courts designed for a range of sports.
