Cliffs to Campsites – Year 10 Outdoor Education

October 15, 2024

Our Year 10 Outdoor Education students embarked on an exhilarating four-day, three-night adventure in the breathtaking Margaret River region recently.

With backpacks strapped on, they embraced a variety of exciting activities, including hiking, high ropes, abseiling, rock climbing, and stand-up paddleboarding. The students set up camp each night in a new location, forging bonds and memories under the stars. Along the way, students deepened their understanding of Indigenous history and environmental stewardship, making this more than just a physical challenge—it was a journey of personal growth, leadership, and teamwork that will stay with them forever.

This expedition aimed to give students hands-on experience in the great outdoors, teaching them self-sufficiency in a natural environment. For many, it was their first time camping in such a way, stepping away from modern comforts to embrace the wild. This adventure beautifully rounded off the Year 10 Outdoor Education Program, allowing students to put into practice all the skills they have honed throughout the year.

Collaboration was key, as students worked in small leadership groups, making crucial decisions for their teams during their designated leadership day. From setting up and packing down camp each day to navigating during hikes and belaying their peers while climbing the cliffs at Willyabrup, every moment was a lesson in resilience and responsibility. Even the simple tasks, like deciding the timing of activities or preparing meals, required teamwork and patience.

Throughout the camp, students developed essential life skills – resilience, teamwork, independence, self-management, and compassion. The emotional journey was just as significant as the physical one, with students learning to navigate their own emotions and those of their peers, far from the comforts of home. It is this type of personal growth that makes the camp such a powerful and transformative experience.

Teacher Insights

When asked about the highlights, Parris Laurie, Health & Physical Education teacher, shared, “Hearing the girls’ stories and seeing their faces light up as they told them was incredibly heart-warming. We saw whales and dolphins while abseiling off the sea cliffs, which was just amazing. Plus, we had an unforgettable cultural experience with Mitchella Hutchins, learning about natural medicines and the rich Indigenous history around us.”

Moments of Triumph

Molly powered through a tough hike with a backpack nearly her size despite a few tumbles along the way.
Lilian endured painful blisters from day two, but with grit and determination, she pushed through the rest of the camp.
Chloe and Isla faced their fear of abseiling but decided to be brave, and the sense of accomplishment they felt afterwards was unforgettable.

Student Reflections

“I learned that there is so much more to the natural environment than meets the eye. It is a supermarket and a chemist all in one.” Milly

“The views and the nature around us during the hikes were constantly breathtaking.” Jasmine

“Abseiling off the sea cliffs was amazing.” Shayla

Featured, OutdoorEducation, PersonalGrowth, Resilience, StudentLeadership, teamwork

Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.