Learning Areas > Outdoor Education
Head of Outdoor Education: Mr Josh Edwards
P: +61 3 9816 1222 E: josh.edwards@carey.com.au
About the Learning Area
Outdoor Education focusses on personal development through interaction with others and responsible engagement with the natural environment. Extended time in the outdoors encourages students to begin to develop greater self-reliance, independence and knowledge of self.
Students live communally and work in small groups, facing challenges that provide the opportunity for personal and social growth. Outdoor Education experiences also provide the opportunity for students and staff to get to know one another in a less formal setting than that of the traditional classroom.
Experiences in the outdoors allow students to become more environmentally aware and encourages them to work towards developing and implementing more ecologically sound living principles. They are invited to think of ways to assist in the preservation of natural resources and aid in the reversal of human impact on the areas we visit.
Students are encouraged to strive to be wise, independent, motivated learners through their engagement in a diverse range of activities in varied environments. The nine Positive Learner Attributes are central to the teaching and learning within the Outdoor Education program at Carey and are consistently highlighted within each of the programs.
Outdoor Education in the Middle School
Through the Outdoor Education program students have the opportunity to visit and explore three very different and exciting environments. All students are required to complete one Outdoor Education program in each of the three years in Middle School.
At present these environments are:
- Coastal - Carey's Camp Toonallook on the Gippsland Lakes in East Gippsland
- Semi-arid - Hattah-Kulkyne National Park in North Western Victoria
- Sub-alpine Mountains - King River and Wabonga Plateau of the Alpine National Park in North Eastern Victoria
The timing of each unit varies so that the environmental and climatic conditions are utilised to the best advantage of each particular area and to provide challenges which are relevant and reasonable for the age group.
Through each of these Outdoor Education programs, students reinforce previously learnt skills as well as being given the opportunity to develop new skills. As they move through each of the programs, students are increasingly allocated to groups on a random basis. This ensures that students mix and work with others in their year level, which also assists with broadening friendship groups.
While the Outdoor Education program includes the teaching and integration of all nine Positive Learner Attributes, each year level program in Middle School will highlight a different Domain and focus more explicitly on the three Positive Learner Attributes within it. Students utilise the experience to make links to other units of study which are being undertaken in the classroom at Kew, both before and after their participation in a program.
The Middle School Outdoor Education programs prepare students for the exciting range of expeditions which are offered as part of the Year 10 Outdoor Education curriculum in the Senior School.
