From the Principal: Year 9 Future Makers

 With over 30 years experience in outdoor education, I knew immediately upon on arriving to visit on day 10 of 12, just the atmosphere that signalled that the program had been successful ... I was greeted with non-stop stories and reflections of their recent journey down the Murray, high paced in-jokes and knowing happy glances at each other as they recounted moments of fun, adventure and hardship! They had been through a lot - new friends, discomfort, physical challenge, cooking for themselves, leading and following in all manner of situation - and they loved it!

It was so heartening and reassuring to see first-hand that our commitment to a new leadership-focused outdoor education program for Year 9 had worked, an intentional shift away from the ordinary 'camp' experience to a program more suited to the needs and developmental stage of this group.

Outdoor education and camps, while often overlapping, serve distinct purposes. Outdoor education focuses on experiential learning through structured activities in natural environments, aiming to develop skills such as leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. It is curriculum-driven, linked to educational outcomes, and involves a variety of settings, from local parks to remote wilderness areas. Camps, on the other hand, are typically recreational, offering a break from daily routines with an emphasis on fun, social interaction, and personal growth. While they may incorporate educational elements, camps prioritise leisure, community building, and individual interests over formal educational objectives. Year 9 Future Makers is very much outdoor education.

The 15 Mile Creek program is connected to our school's curriculum, aimed at developing future-ready young people. Aligned with Outdoor School's vision of "educating for sustainable living," this program challenges students to become initiators, leaders, and managers of change, empowering them to influence their own futures. Through hands-on experiential learning, the program cultivates essential learning capabilities.

Before the main residential experience, 15 Mile Creek staff will deliver 1-2 days of content at your home school. The core of the program is a 12-day residential stay at 15 Mile Creek, featuring a five-day student-led canoeing expedition down the Murray River. This expedition occurs midway through the program. Teachers from both the home school and Outdoor School 15 Mile Creek collaborate in a collegiate team-teaching approach to deliver various elements of the program.

Outdoor School – 15 Mile Creek Campus is a school staffed and funded by the Department of Education, providing programs for students in government schools across Victoria. Located on the traditional lands of multiple Indigenous groups, 15 Mile Creek is situated only 30 mins from Wangaratta towards Greta. The property spans 110 hectares of pristine bushland, adjoining state forest. We are fortunate to have deep connections with the 15 Mile Creek teaching staff,  a number of whom are current parents of the High School.

Dave Armstrong

Executive Principal