Outdoor Education
Outdoor Education at St Hilda’s is a comprehensive sequential program designed to instil a passion for the outdoors and the environment in our students. Students are involved in year level curriculum programs from Year 2 – 10. These experiences are developed to engage students in the environment, personal growth, wellbeing, leadership, independence, interpersonal skills, cultural awareness and resilience. Each program has a specific focus to help develop students outside of the classroom.
In addition to the Outdoor Education experiences that form part of the curriculum, students have the opportunity to participate in the Optional cocurricular opportunities. These optional programs are designed to explore outdoor activities and environments that students have shown an interest in. These programs range from before school and after school activities to expeditions run during School holidays. Below you can see what options each year level has and some specific information regarding each optional pursuit.
Senior School Outdoor Education
Year 7
Year 7 Outdoor Education Program
Year 7 Camp. Yeagarup (Compulsory)
Location:
The Year 7 program will be held at St Hilda’s new Outdoor Education Centre in Yeagarup. Yeagarup Campus is located just out of Pemberton nestled in state forests and farmland. It is a 7.4 hectare property, complete with orchard, herb gardens and its own water tank. It is located near the Bibbulman Track, Munda Bindi bike trail and the Gloucester State Forest. The new facility will have state of the art facilities to help deliver amazing educational outcomes for our girls.
The Program:
The Year 7 program is sequenced as the introduction to expedition style Outdoor Education, which continues and develops in Years 8 and 10. The experience is designed to ignite an interest in the natural world, encourage adventure and develop relationships between students.
- Students are introduced to a range of outdoor experiences including:
- Bushwalking and basic navigation
- Packing and preparation for an overnight bushwalk
- Stand up paddle boarding
- Cooking on ‘Trangia’ stoves – students cook all meals in a structured lesson format
- A strong theme of all St Hilda’s outdoor education programs is learning about the cultural and natural history of the area that the program takes place in. The groups will participate in an indigenous cultural session with a local Noongar elder and have the opportunity to investigate and see some of the amazing natural history in the area.
Year 7 Outdoor Education Optional Pursuits Program
Surf Camp Lancelin (Year 7 – 12)
The Program:
During Term 2 and 3, the Outdoor Education Department will run surf camps to Lancelin; as with all of our surfing programs, the lessons cover a variety of aspects including beach and water safety, surfing technique, wave selection and individual improvements.
Included:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Transport
- Surf coaching (3 x 3 hour sessions)
- Surf equipment
Surf Lessons Before and After School (Year 7 – 12)
The Program:
During Term 2 and 3, the Outdoor Education Department will run surf lessons at Leighton Beach; as with all of our surfing programs, the lessons cover a variety of aspects including beach and water safety, surfing technique, wave selection and individual improvements. Students are also provided with breakfast or afternoon tea as part of the program.
Included:
- Food (breakfast or afternoon tea
- Transport
- Surf coaching (6 x surf lessons per term)
- Surf equipment
Year 8
Year 8 Outdoor Education Program
Year 8 Camp. Cape to Cave (Compulsory)
Location:
The program takes place in the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park in the Margaret River region, where students will be camping for the duration of the program. We will be based at the Department of Parks and Wildlife, Contos Campground. Students will spend at least one night at Contos base and the remaining nights camping at alternative DPaW campsites or the Hamelin Bay Caravan Park.
The Program:
Our students will participate in a co-educational program with students from Christ Church Grammer School. The Year 8 program is sequenced as an expedition style outdoor education program aiming at building positive experience for students in the outdoors, ignite an interest in the natural world, encourage student adventure and learning critical interpersonal skills.
Students are introduced to a range of outdoor skills and experiences including:
- Expedition planning and weather observation
- Leave No Trace camping techniques
- Map reading / navigation and camp cooking
- Introductory caving
- Abseiling
- A strong theme of all St Hilda’s Outdoor Education programs is learning about the cultural and natural history of the area that the program takes place in. The groups will participate in an indigenous cultural session with a local Noongar elder and have the opportunity to investigate and hear about some of the amazing cultural and natural history of the area.
Year 8 Outdoor Education Optional Pursuits Program
Year 8 Coral Bay Marine Adventure: (Optional Year 8)
The Program:
In the April school holidays, the St Hilda’s Outdoor Education Department will be offering a Marine activities program in Coral Bay. This is an extremely popular trip, which is facilitated by Ningaloo Reef Adventure Camp.
Students will be introduced to intermediate snorkelling skills and techniques, discuss the ecology of the reef with marine biologists and have the opportunity to swim with whale sharks, turtles and manta rays.
Included:
Girls will participate in:
- Return flights plus transfers from Exmouth to Coral Bay
- Food
- All-day private charter boat and Whale Shark swim(s)
- Snorkelling
- Underwater Scooter Snorkel Tour
- Stand up paddling
- Aqua Rush Tour
- Private charter boat and Manta Ray swim(s)
Surf Camp Lancelin (Year 7 – 12)
The Program:
During Terms 2 and 3, the Outdoor Education Department will run surf camps to Lancelin. As as with all of our surfing programs, the lessons cover a variety of aspects including beach and water safety, surfing technique, wave selection and individual improvements.
Included:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Transport
- Surf coaching (3 x 3-hour sessions)
- Surf equipment
Surf Lessons Before and After School (Years 7 – 12)
The Program:
During Terms 2 and 3, the Outdoor Education Department will run surf lessons at Leighton Beach. As with all of our surfing programs, the lessons cover a variety of aspects including beach and water safety, surfing technique, wave selection and individual improvements. Students are also provided with Breakfast or Afternoon Tea as part of the program.
Included:
- Food (breakfast or afternoon tea
- Transport
- Surf coaching (6 x surf lessons per term)
- Surf equipment
Year 9
All students in Year 9 participate in the Wandering Spirit program as part of the curriculum.
Year 9 Outdoor Education Optional Programs
Year 9 Coral Bay Marine Adventure: (Optional Year 9)
The Program:
In the April school holidays, the St Hilda’s Outdoor Education Department will be offering a Marine activities program in Coral Bay. This is an extremely popular trip, which is facilitated by Ningaloo Reef Adventure Camp.
Students will be introduced to intermediate snorkeling skills and techniques, discuss the ecology of the reef with marine biologists and have the opportunity to swim with whale sharks, turtles and manta rays.
Included:
Girls will participate in:
- Return flights plus transfers from Exmouth to Coral Bay
- Food
- All day private charter boat & Whale Shark swim(s)
- Snorkelling
- Underwater Scooter Snorkel Tour
- Stand up paddling
- Aqua Rush Tour
- Private charter boat and Manta Ray swim(s)
Shark Bay Sea Kayaking Program: (Years 9, 10 & 11)
The Program:
The Outdoor Education Department is offering an amazing opportunity to participate in a sea kayaking expedition in the Shark Bay World Heritage area. The students will have an opportunity to investigate the natural history of the area and explore the unique coastline, including mangrove forests and tidal flats.
Students will paddle double sea kayaks, and be self-sufficient for the expedition, carrying all supplies in water-tight bags and hatches. The trip can be used for the expedition section of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for either Bronze or Silver. Girls who choose to do this will be involved in the organisation which will include route planning, menu planning, clothing list and logistics. The planning sessions will take place at lunchtime one day a week (day to be advised) in the weeks leading up to the expedition. All students will also be involved in preparation and skills practice over two weekend days in the weeks leading up to the expedition.
Included:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Sea kayaking equipment and instructors
- Eco boat tour
Surf Camp Lancelin (Year 7 – 12)
The Program:
During Terms 2 and 3, the Outdoor Education Department will run surf camps to Lancelin, as with all of our surfing programs, the lessons cover a variety of aspects including beach and water safety, surfing technique, wave selection and individual improvements.
Included:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Transport
- Surf coaching (3 x 3-hour sessions)
- Surf equipment
Surf Lessons Before and After School (Years 7 – 12)
The Program:
During Terms 2 and 3, the Outdoor Education Department will run surf lessons at Leighton Beach, as with all of our surfing programs, the lessons cover a variety of aspects including beach and water safety, surfing technique, wave selection and individual improvements. Students are also provided with breakfast or afternoon tea as part of the program.
Included:
- Food (breakfast or afternoon tea)
- Transport
- Surf coaching (6 x Surf Lessons per term)
- Surf equipment
Year 10
Year 10 Outdoor Education Program
Year 10 Camp. Wooleen (Compulsory Year 10)
Location:
The Year 10 Outdoor Education program is a mobile bushwalking journey over seven days through the ancient and beautiful landscape of Wooleen Station in the Murchison region of Western Australia. Wooleen is a cattle station approximately 650 km north north-east of Perth and covers an area of half a million acres.
The Program:
The Year 10 cohort travel to Wooleen together and upon arrival are divided into eight groups, with approximately 15 students in each group.
The expedition is largely student-run and allows each group to set the tone of their trip based on knowledge and experiences gained in previous outdoor education programs. Each group will have two experienced Outdoor Educators who will facilitate and be responsive to each group’s focus.
All groups will be immersed in the landscape and will encounter significant indigenous areas. Students will be visited by a local Wajarri elder who will discuss her life growing up in the Murchison. They will also participate in a unique experience of cooking kangaroo tails and damper in the fire.
Year 10 Outdoor Education Optional Pursuits Program
Coral Bay Dive (Years 10, 11, 12)
The Program:
In the April school holidays, the St Hilda’s Outdoor Education Department offers a chance for students to receive their “Open Water Dive Certificate”. Two separate programs will run out of Coral Bay exploring the Ningaloo Reef which is situated 1200 kilometres north of Perth on WA’s mid-west coast and stretching over 240kms, Ningaloo Reef is one of the world’s longest fringing coral reef systems and an amazing opportunity for students to experience a true wonder of the natural world.
Students will study for their online “Open Water Dive Course” in the lead-up to their expedition in Coral Bay. On arrival, students will spend one day in the pool doing basic safety and skills before diving on the Ningaloo Reef for two days to complete their certificate. As a bonus, students will also have a full day on a Whale Shark boat doing a deluxe Whale Shark snorkel. Girls will stay at the Ningaloo Reef Adventure Camp (Safari Tents) in Coral Bay.
Included:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Dive course (4 x ocean dives, 2 x pool / inshore dives)
- Whale shark day
Shark Bay Sea Kayaking Program (Years 9, 10 & 11)
The Program:
The Outdoor Education Department is offering an amazing opportunity to participate in a sea kayaking expedition in the Shark Bay World Heritage area. The students will have an opportunity to investigate the natural history of the area and explore the unique coastline, including mangrove forests and tidal flats.
Students will paddle double sea kayaks and be self-sufficient for the expedition, carrying all supplies in water-tight bags and hatches. The trip can be used for the expedition section of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for either Bronze or Silver. Girls who choose to do this will be involved in the organisation which will include route planning, menu planning, clothing list and logistics. The planning sessions will take place at lunchtime one day a week (day to be advised) in the weeks leading up to the expedition. All students will also be involved in preparation and skills practice over two weekend days in the weeks leading up to the expedition.
Included:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Sea kayaking equipment and instructors
- Eco Boat Tour
Surf Camp Lancelin (Year 7 – 12)
The Program:
During Terms 2 and 3, the Outdoor Education Department will run surf camps to Lancelin, as with all of our surfing programs, the lessons cover a variety of aspects including beach and water safety, surfing technique, wave selection and individual improvements.
Included:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Transport
- Surf coaching (3 x 3-hour sessions)
- Surf equipment
Surf Lessons Before and After School (Years 7 – 12)
The Program:
During Term 2 and 3, the Outdoor Education Department will run surf lessons at Leighton Beach. As with all of our surfing programs, the lessons cover a variety of aspects including beach and water safety, surfing technique, wave selection and individual improvements. Students are also provided with breakfast or afternoon tea as part of the program.
Included:
- Food (breakfast or afternoon tea)
- Transport
- Surf coaching (6 x surf lessons per term)
- Surf equipment
Year 11
Year 11 Outdoor Education Optional Pursuits Program
Coral Bay Dive (Year 10, 11, 12)
The Program:
In the April school holidays, the St Hilda’s Outdoor Education Department offers a chance for students to receive their “Open Water Dive Certificate”. Two separate programs will run out of Coral Bay exploring the Ningaloo Reef which is situated 1200 kilometres north of Perth on WA’s mid-west coast and stretching over 240kms. Ningaloo Reef is one of the world’s longest fringing coral reef systems and an amazing opportunity for students to experience a true wonder of the natural world.
Students will study for their online “Open Water Dive Course” in the lead up to their expedition in Coral Bay. On arrival, students will spend one day in the pool doing basic safety and skills before diving on the Ningaloo Reef for two days completing their certificate. As a bonus, students will also have a full day on a whale sharks boat doing a deluxe Whale Shark snorkel. Girls will stay at the Ningaloo Reef Adventure Camp (Safari Tents) in Coral Bay.
Included:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Dive course (4 x ocean dives, 2 x pool / inshore dives)
- Whale shark day
Shark Bay Sea Kayaking Program (Years 10 & 11)
The Program:
The Outdoor Education Department is offering an amazing opportunity to participate in a sea kayaking expedition in the Shark Bay World Heritage area. The students will have an opportunity to investigate the natural history of the area and explore the unique coastline, including mangrove forests and tidal flats.
Students will paddle double sea kayaks. They will be self-sufficient for the expedition, carrying all supplies in water-tight bags and hatches.
The trip can be used for the expedition section of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for either Bronze or Silver. Girls who choose to do this will be involved in the organisation which will include route planning, menu planning, clothing list and logistics. The planning sessions will take place at lunchtime one day a week (day to be advised) in the weeks leading up to the expedition.
All students will also be involved in preparation and skills practice over two weekend days in the weeks leading up to the expedition.
Included:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Sea Kayaking equipment and instructors
- Eco boat tour
Surf Camp Lancelin (Years 7 – 12)
The Program:
During Term 2 and 3, the Outdoor Education Department will run surf camps to Lancelin. As with all of our surfing programs, the lessons cover a variety of aspects including beach and water safety, surfing technique, wave selection and individual improvements.
Included:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Transport
- Surf coaching (3 x 3-hour sessions)
- Surf equipment
Surf Lessons Before and After School (Years 7 – 12)
The Program:
During Term 2 and 3, the Outdoor Education Department will run surf lessons at Leighton Beach. As with all of our surfing programs, the lessons cover a variety of aspects including beach and water safety, surfing technique, wave selection and individual improvements. Students are also provided with breakfast or afternoon tea as part of the program.
Included:
- Food (breakfast or afternoon tea
- Transport
- Surf coaching (6 x surf Lessons per term)
- Surf equipment
Year 12
Year 12 Outdoor Education Optional Pursuits Program
Japan Snow Tour
Program:
In the January school holidays, the St Hilda’s Outdoor Education Department will be running a Snow Tour to Japan. The program will run for 12 days and include six days of skiing in the Hakuba region and two days of sightseeing in Tokyo (including a day at Tokyo Disney Land or Universal Studios). Other days will be spent visiting Snow Monkey Park, Matsumoto Castle and sightseeing in the Nagano Region. This program will be offered to Year 12 students before they start the academic year. There will be limited positions available for this tour. If the expressions of interest exceed the number of positions, a ballot will be conducted to determine who will obtain a place in the program.
Included:
• Return airfares to Tokyo
• Private coach transfers with experienced drivers
• Breakfast and dinner daily
• 6 x lift passes for Happo one and Hakuba Goryu/Hakuba 47
• 6 x day hire of skis/poles/boots OR snowboard/boots/wrist guards
• 6 x day helmet hire
• 4 x two-hour group ski/snowboard lessons
• Entry to Disneyland or Universal Studios Tokyo
• Entry to Matsumoto Castle
• Entry to Ishii Miso Factory
• Buffet dinner & drumming Show
• Entry to the Snow Monkey Park
Coral Bay Dive (Years 10, 11, 12)
The Program:
In the April school holidays, the St Hilda’s Outdoor Education Department offers a chance for students to receive their “Open Water Dive Certificate”. Two separate programs will run out of Coral Bay exploring the Ningaloo Reef which is situated 1200 kilometres north of Perth on WA’s mid-west coast and stretching over 240kms. Ningaloo Reef is one of the world’s longest fringing coral reef systems and an amazing opportunity for students to experience a true wonder of the natural world.
Students will study for their online “Open Water Dive Course” in the lead-up to their expedition in Coral Bay. On arrival, students will spend one day in the pool doing basic safety and skills before diving on the Ningaloo Reef for two days to complete their certificate. As a bonus, students will also have a full day on a whale shark boat doing a deluxe Whale Shark snorkel. Girls will stay at the Ningaloo Reef Adventure Camp (Safari Tents) in Coral Bay.
Included:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Dive course (4 x ocean dives, 2 x pool / inshore dives)
- Whaleshark day
Surf Camp Lancelin (Year 7 – 12)
The Program:
During Term 2 and 3, the Outdoor Education Department will run surf camps to Lancelin. As with all of our surfing programs, the lessons cover a variety of aspects including beach and water safety, surfing technique, wave selection and individual improvements.
Included:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Transport
- Surf coaching (3 x 3-hour sessions)
- Surf equipment
Surf Lessons Before and After School (Years 7 – 12)
The Program:
During Term 2 and 3, the Outdoor Education Department will run surf lessons at Leighton Beach. As with all of our surfing programs, the lessons cover a variety of aspects including beach and water safety, surfing technique, wave selection and individual improvements. Students are also provided with breakfast or afternoon tea as part of the program.
Included:
- Food (breakfast or afternoon tea
- Transport
- Surf coaching (6 x surf lessons per term)
- Surf equipment