This term the Year 7/8 Outdoor Education Class learned about rock climbing. The students went 2 different excursions:

Bayside Rock Indoor Climbing Centre allowed them to experience the activity of rock climbing.
The You Yangs Regional Park gave them the chance to practice the techniques they learned in a 'real' environment.

The purpose of these excursions was to not only have a great time, but also for students to develop trust in the climbing equipment and each other, as well as learn good climbing techniques. Here are some of the participants' recounts of the fun day:

The rock climbing excursion was fun, and I learned lots of new things like pulling the rope when the climber climbs. I enjoyed climbing and abseiling; trying all the rock climbing choices was fun. Some of the rules I learned were don’t say the word rock out loud as a joke, don’t take your helmet off, and don’t put your harness on the ground. The trip to the You Yangs was fun and I hope, I get to go there again in the future.

Junmin Jang

I did only 2 of the 3 rock climbing choices and the abseiling. On the second rock climbing course, I struggled a lot because it was a tight fit and I didn’t know how to get to the top. However, on the first course, I was able to get really close to the top but my arms got too tired so I couldn’t finish it. The abseiling was pretty easy, but I got stuck at a certain point, but fixed it quickly.

Nathan Reddy

The rock climbing excursion was lots of fun and was very achieving for me personally. There were three walls of three difficulties. I had lots of fun doing the harder walls. I got very close to the top on both walls! I also went to do abseiling which was lots of fun; I was not very confident to start but did it anyways. I learnt lots of new skills and rules when rock climbing this was an enjoyable excursion.

Kaden Bunyon

On Tuesday 6 June, I along with the whole 7 and 8 Outdoor Ed went rock climbing. The excursion to the You Yangs was amazing. There were 3 rock climbing walls and an abseiling side. I liked the change on the hardest wall. Only a few people completed that one. The thing that made the day thrilling for me was the challenge of the climb. For a person that never climbs, it was a great challenge.

Seth Raymond

For Outdoor Ed we went to You Yang’s National Park to go rock climbing and abseiling. The walls were about 10 metres in the air and when we got up to the top the view of all the mountains and trees was amazing. I really enjoyed my time at the You Yangs and I would like to go again if I can. I also enjoyed the long bus trip it was fun being able to talk for 2 hours without being interrupted. Thank you, Mr. Simmons, for organising this trip and I am looking forward to potentially doing Outdoor Ed again.

Reuben Lian

The Rock climbing excursion taught me the value of communication. Too much of it, and it can overwhelm people. Not enough of it, and people can find themselves struggling. Communication is also important between belayers, making sure they are both working in sync. Encouragement is also important, it helps to motivate people through rock climbing. Emily Sun

In rock climbing, we learned how to tie a knot, belay, do some epic rock climbing, and abseiling. It was really fun even though I think I was overreacting a lot because of the heights. I tried my very best while having an injured thumb (hahaha). I give rock climbing a 10/10!

Kristina Castro

I enjoyed rock climbing because we were able to basically choose what we wanted to do and were able to spend time with our friends as well. I liked the height of the rock climbing and abseiling rocks, they weren’t too tall or too small. The amount of independence was alright. That is how I enjoyed rock climbing.

Abigail Faber

Chris Simmons

Outdoor Education Teacher

Grade 5/6 Market Day