Year 9
Head of Year 9 - Josette Mercieca
Year 9 Outdoor Ed: Rafting Excursion
Article by Ashley Sheldrick, Year 9 Leader
Year 9 is a pivotal year, a time when students begin to stretch beyond the classroom and grow in confidence, character and capability. Experiential learning plays a powerful role in this journey. When students step into real world challenges, they develop resilience, teamwork, problem solving skills and self belief in ways that traditional classroom tasks alone cannot provide.
Monday’s Outdoor Education rafting excursion was a wonderful example of this in action. Navigating the river required communication, trust and courage. Students had to listen carefully, work as a team, respond to changing conditions and encourage one another through moments of uncertainty. These are the kinds of experiences that shape not only capable learners, but capable young people.
As the well known quote by Albert Einstein reminds us, “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.” Skills such as perseverance, communication, leadership, adaptability and empathy cannot be measured by grades alone, yet they are critical to lifelong success and wellbeing.
Our focus on developing the whole person means valuing these moments just as highly as academic achievement. Through opportunities like white water rafting, students discover strengths they may not see in a classroom setting. They learn that growth often happens outside their comfort zone, and that true education is about becoming resourceful, reflective and resilient individuals.
We are proud of the way our Year 9 students embraced this challenge and look forward to many more experiences that continue to build character alongside knowledge.
A big thank you to Ms Sadler, Mr Townsend, Mr Cusworth and Nicole for the work that they do to facilitate these experiences for our students.
Each fortnight, the College Careers Team publishes a newsletter providing students and parents with the most up-to-date career information, events and opportunities.
Please access via the following link.