Outdoor Education
It has been an exciting and rewarding semester for our Outdoor Education students across Years 9 to 11, with camps, excursions and hands-on learning experiences that have taken students from coastlines to alpine peaks and into the heart of significant cultural landscapes across Victoria.
Year 9 Outdoor Education
Students kicked off their journey with a 3-day bushwalk along the stunning Great Ocean Walk on Gadubanud Country. Covering over 30km, many students experienced their first taste of hiking and camping. Sleeping under the stars, cooking on camp stoves, and spotting local wildlife including koalas and wallabies. A visit to the Cape Otway Lighthouse added historical context to the natural surroundings. Back at school, students honed their navigation skills using new orienteering equipment generously funded by the Parents and Friends Association. A huge thank you to our school community for their continued support!
Year 10
Students explored two vastly different environments. First, while the weather was warm participated in a 3-day surf camp, kayaking and surfing in the Lorne and Anglesea region. They later ventured into Taungurung Country, hiking through snow gum woodlands and mountain ash forest and camping at Bluff Spur, Mt Stirling. As conditions changed, they demonstrated flexibility and teamwork by relocating to lower elevations. These camps give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge of risk management and group dynamics, as well as assessing the impact of threats to these special environments across different settings.
VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies
Students deepened their understanding of and analysed human-nature relationships on two camps, linked to their VCE studies. In February, a 4-day bushwalk at Wilsons Promontory focused on how human interactions with the natural environment have evolved over time. Later, students explored Gariwerd (Grampians National Park), on Jardwadjali and Djab Wurrung Country, rock climbing and abseiling amidst ancient sandstone. Highlights included visiting culturally significant sites such as Bunjil’s Shelter and cooking damper over a campfire. The VCE students also collaborated with WAMA Foundation, continuing an over decade long partnership through which MGC students assist with native seedling propagation, weeding and ecological restoration in bushfire affected areas, and planting natives in the endemic garden. The WAMA Foundation's Environmental Art gallery opens to the public this July holidays, for more information check out: https://www.wamafoundation.com.au/
A huge thank you to all 90 or so students for their energy and passion to learn about our environment, and to Mr Childs, Mr Hollywood and Mr Sewell and all supporting staff for their dedication and leadership in providing these meaningful outdoor learning experiences. We look forward to semester two and more adventures to come.
Dan Childs
Physical Education, Health and Outdoor Education Teacher