Year 10 Outdoor Education Term 4 Camp
Caroona Creek Conservation Park During Week 2, Term 4 the Year 10 Outdoor Education class ventured on a 3-day bushwalk through the spectacular Caroona Creek Conservation Park. Leading up to...
Across Term 1, the Stage 1 Outdoor Education class has been emersed in coastal environments.
Students began their surfing journey at Port Noarlunga Beach in late February, in a sheltered environment with smaller and less powerful swells. These conditions enabled students to build confidence in the aquatic environment and begin to understand the different functioning elements within a coastal ecosystem. Throughout the session, students progressed from catching small white-water waves without standing, to attempting slightly larger green waves and extending their ride time toward shore.
Their experience continued at Middleton Beach in early March. This location provided a reflective beach, with increased swell size and power, as well as a different beach type for students to investigate and understand. Students focused on wave action (how waves are generated and why they break) and how to participate safely in surf activities while being mindful of rips, currents and other hazards. Middleton also allowed students to examine an urbanised coastal environment, with significant development along the waterfront and dune systems. The change in beach and swell conditions presented a new challenge, requiring students to refine their wave selection and pop-up technique to be successful in the dynamic surf conditions.
The culminating experience was a three-day camp to Corny Point and nearby Berry Bay from 18 – 20 March. This extended experience enabled students to further develop their surfing skills from earlier practical sessions while exploring a coastal environment with less impact from urbanisation and development. Students demonstrated resilience from the outset, adjusting to camp routines including time away from mobile phones and entering cool surf conditions influenced by a strong south-easterly swell. Berry Bay provided a dramatic and challenging location with varying surf conditions each day. With the support of instructors, students assessed conditions and surfed safely across different breaks and locations.
Across the three days, students continued to develop their campcraft skills, ensuring they had planned and packed appropriately, set up tents, and used Trangia cooking equipment to prepare meals. A key element of Outdoor Education is the ability to reflect on both current and past experiences. On Thursday evening, students participated in a Sunset Solo, providing an opportunity to reflect in solitude while watching the sunset across the Spencer Gulf.
Students will continue this reflection as they complete their AT2 assessment task across the remainder of Term 1.
Ben O’Connell
Learning Area Leader, HPE
