Surf’s Up – Year 12 Outdoor Education
There’s nothing quite like the rush of catching a wave! For our Year 12 Outdoor Education students, the recent surf camp was more than just a fun day at the beach – it was a chance to push limits, develop resilience, and strengthen leadership skills in the great outdoors.
Held at Trigg Beach this experience provided students with hands-on learning in surfing, teamwork, problem-solving, and personal growth. Outdoor Education is all about connecting learning to life, helping students step outside their comfort zones while embracing courage and resilience.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Over the course of the camp, students tackled surf safety, ocean awareness, and wave-riding techniques under the guidance of expert instructors. For many, it was their first time on a surfboard, an exhilarating yet challenging experience.
“I like that every session is different; we never have the same conditions, but it’s always so much fun. I’m really enjoying it.” Summer, Year 12
Outdoor Education isn’t just about physical skills, it is about building leadership, teamwork, and confidence. By the end of this program, students will not only have conquered the surf but will also have learned valuable life lessons about perseverance, adaptability, and self-belief.
Health & Physical Education teacher Parris Laurie was there to guide students through the surfing experience and share insights on the power of resilience. “Students learn to push themselves mentally and physically, even when it feels like they are at their limit. Perseverance to continue to get knocked off your board and have waves crash on you, but learning to persevere and keep getting back up.”
Parris’ hands-on coaching and encouragement are helping her students build confidence, embrace challenges, and push through moments of self-doubt, reinforcing the idea that real learning happens outside the comfort zone.
Why Outdoor Education Matters at Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is committed to educating young women to be future leaders. Through programs like Outdoor Education, we:
- Develop real-world skills like decision-making, problem-solving, and adaptability.
- Encourage personal growth by stepping outside of your comfort zone.
- Foster community & teamwork through shared challenges and achievements.
- Support mental and physical wellbeing, reinforcing the College’s Mental Health Strategy.
A Lasting Impact
For many of our Year 12 students, surfing will be a highlight of their Outdoor Education journey, leaving them with unforgettable memories and newfound confidence.
“Surfing is so different to normal school learning, we are still learning so much but in a different way. I find it refreshing and it acts like a brain break for me.”Holly, Year 12
Whether our students become lifelong surfers or just carry these lessons into their future, one thing is certain – the confidence they build in the water will stay with them long after they step off the board.
- Featured, Hands-onLearning, OutdoorEducation, Resilience, surfing, Year12Students
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.
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