Faculty Report

The Outdoor Education Department hits the ground running from the start of the year, with Years 7 to 10 all completing activities in the first term.

Things kicked off in 2024 with the Year 9 Surf Camp which had the cohort surfing in multiple locations on Phillip Island and at Inverloch. Not even the storms across the state could dampen the spirits of the surfers who camped out for one night and were given expert surf tutorial in what turned out to be great surf conditions. But the camps always go further than just up-skilling on the surf boards. Every aspect of their time together, away from school, was a chance to develop their cohesion within their new pastoral group. 

With the trees and leaves barely cleared, the Year 8 cohort started the Snorkelling Program. Students over the next 2 weeks will have the opportunity to discover the hidden underwater world of Port Phillip Bay. Exploring the home of the Weedy Sea Dragon under Portsea Pier, and then playing with the ever-excitable Australian Fur Seal on Chinaman’s Hat, are but some of the highlights of a packed snorkelling itinerary. Bay Play Adventures are a new provider used for this experience. This comes due to the devastating loss of Luke English from Redboats, who sadly passed away last year. He was an outstanding captain and business operator, but also a hugely warm and ever accommodating man. The College will be forever grateful for the huge impact he had on so many students, enabling them to enjoy their time at sea safely.

Year 10 will soon commence their outdoor day activities. Students will be getting a choice of activities that include mountain biking, river sledding, caving, surfing, and standup paddle boarding. They will also all be completing a METEC driver course and school pastoral program throughout the week, (13th – 17th March). 

The penultimate week of Term 1 (18th – 22nd March) marks a new era of Year 7 camp bidding farewell to Rawson Village and saying hello to Wilson’s Prom. The two-night camp splits the cohort in half with a brief time together for Mass on the Wednesday morning. This is a very valuable time for the students to bond with their new classmates and teachers in a new setting, as well as experience the exquisite environment of the National Park, that now brags the title of Best Beach in Australia. As with all the outdoor activities, all information will be available through Mazcom. 

We strongly believe that the connections and experiences created by this program become a treasured highlight for exiting students at the College.

Michael Pearson

Outdoor Education Leader