Outdoor Education

Outdoor Education is an important part of the overall school curriculum. The benefits include:

• opportunities for real-life learning within natural environments, providing unambiguous feedback on behaviours and decisions.
• participation in group challenges and problem solving activities, encouraging active citizenship.
• problem-based learning fosters opportunities, within a range of novel outdoor learning environments, for learners to critically evaluate how their actions influence themselves, other group members and the environment.
• provides opportunities for learners to explore lifestyle alternatives including their involvement in outdoor and environmental related pursuits.
• self direction and self regulation, including negotiation, allowing the opportunity to learn through experience.
• inclusion in a group working in unfamiliar circumstances, promoting strategies to adapt to change and uncertainties.
• appreciation of diversity, cultural knowledge and respect for the environment, encouraging the development of a sense of community.
• accepting and meeting sustained physical, social and emotional challenges, encouraging learners to extend themselves beyond their comfort zone.
• experiences in outdoor environments provide opportunities for learners to question their personal lifestyle choices and their commitment to environmental sustainability.

Year 7 traveled to Yangshuo in Guangxi Province. Yangshuo is an old Chinese village surrounded by rivers and limestone pinnacles. This area is rich in culture and beautiful scenery. We were based at the Outside Inn, that overlooks the beautiful Yu Long River, just upstream from Gaotian Village.  From this base the students participated in activities such as rafting, rock climbing, abseiling, trekking, caving, group dynamics, visiting the night markets and craft stalls.

Year 8 traveled to Longsheng and Mao Er Shan in northern Guangxi province for camp. The focus of this camp was to promote critical thinking, self and group discovery and for the students to value their accomplishments. The students walked the ‘Dragon back’ trail through the rice fields of Longsheng staying in villages along the way. They then travelled to Mao Er Shan Outdoor Education centre for further activities.

Year 9 traveled to Zongdian in Northern Yunnan. This area is rich in culture with beautiful scenery. They further developed their group and personal skills as well as their cultural awareness by taking part in physical, social and emotional challenges by hiking in the Himalayas, encouraging them to extend themselves beyond their comfort zones.

Year 10 traveled to the southern Australian state of Victoria. The students experienced a range of activities such as camping, surfing, animal park visits University visits and city tours. The camp began in Melbourne then traveled to The Grampians National Park where the students  bushwalked and camped for three days.  They then traveled to the coast and toured along the famous Great Ocean Road, taking part in adventure activities along the way.