Learning from the Landscape

Melaine Blair

Teacher - Outdoor Education

Students participated in a 4-day overnight hike at Wilsons Promontory as part of their Outdoor and Environmental Studies Unit 3&4. The purpose of the program was for students to explore the environment of Wilsons Promontory and analyse the historical relationships associated with the area. 

In the lead up to the program, students planned their own hiking itinerary and meal plan and while on camp, they participated in a Learn to Surf session at Waratah Bay. These activities were an extension on the skills they had all developed in Units 1&2 in 2022, and linked to their current Area of Study (Contemporary Relationships with Outdoor Environments).  

Through this program our students developed their leadership skills and their confidence in organising their own outdoor education program.  The experience also allowed them to make critical links to the content we have been covering in class. 

These Year 11 adventurers  have made an exceptional start to Outdoor & Environmental Studies Units 3&4, I look forward to seeing them progress as the year goes on.  

VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies

There is considerable evidence to indicate that outdoor education curricula can have a positive effect on student outcomes, including educational, interpersonal, social and critical thinking skills, as well as mental and physical health.

Quality outdoor education can:

• enhance enquiry, critical thinking and reflection skills
• make significant contributions to literacy and numeracy
• increase students’ sense of confidence and efficacy
• improve mental health and wellbeing and increase physical health 
• improve environmental knowledge and an understanding of culture, heritage and place history
• teach students to assess risk and make judgements about risk management.