Facing the challenges

Well what a year 2021 has been so far from an Outdoor Ed point of view.

We could talk at length about VCE outcomes around the study areas of ‘influences and motivations’ of outdoor experiences, but that’s what the classroom is for, so let’s get to the triumph and tragedy stories (don’t worry everyone was safe).

The year started off good and well with students visiting a number of local environments, experiencing what they had to offer, with all the term 1 trip preparation and lead up work focuses towards our Wilsons Promontory 4 day camp. This is what we expected!

Our lead up work included meal planning, trip preparation, skills development, doing the beep test with backpacks on, and of course the all important risk management, with the weather shaping as the most dynamic and unpredictable part of this. The class group chat was lighting up all weekend with forecasts and plans to combat the forecast 20-30mm of rain, and the moderate winds. For those that saw the school Facebook page you would have seen an update which could have been likened to Dorothy and Co reporting live from Kansas, but instead it this was not the merry old land of OzHave  look

The rapidly developed low pressure system created a micro climate on this unique southern most point of the Australian mainland, which meant the intrepid crew (who still had a moderate willingness to commence the trek) were forced to return the 4hours back to school. 

With the trip rescheduled to Term 3, we eagerly looked to our next local experiential trip in mid term 2, stand up paddleboarding through the estuaries of the Breamlea Flora & Fauna reserve. But Covid lockdown 4.0 prevented that and again our excitement was thwarted Back to masks and studying the theory, hoping one day we can apply it!

Finally in Week 9 of term, and with the traffic lights of the Health Department and the DET changing to green, permissions were gained and we were off the next school day. The students enjoyed an amazing experience challenging their skill & resilience, in a unique outdoor activity, whilst building their knowledge in this amazing internationally significant environment.  Next term - Wilson's Promontory!