Year 12 Outdoor Ed Girls Ride the Waves on Surf Camp

April 11, 2025

It takes a fair bit of courage to step outside your comfort zone, especially when it involves unpredictable waves and cooking your own dinner after a big day outdoors.

That was the reality for 14 of our Year 12 Outdoor Education students during their recent Surf Camp down south. Over three days, from 6 – 9 April, they swapped their usual routines for hiking trails, surfboards, and the chance to put their outdoor skills to the test.

Real-World Learning in Action

This wasn’t a sit-back-and-relax kind of trip. The girls were responsible for setting up their own campsites, preparing meals, hiking along coastal trails, and diving into daily surfing sessions.

They put into practice everything they’ve learned in class, and then some. It was hands-on, physical and, at times, downright uncomfortable. But with every new challenge, they found a way to make it work.

Moments That Stick

For some, there were a lot of ‘firsts’, first time cooking over a camp stove or first-time surfing on a reef break. These are the kinds of moments that stay with you long after the tents are packed away.

More than anything, the girls showed incredible growth. They learned to back themselves, to support each other, and to push through when things didn’t go quite to plan. That’s what Outdoor Education is about, building confidence, finding resilience, and learning how to adapt in the moment.

A Big Thank You

A special thanks to Parris Laurie and Jordan Snadden, who joined the girls on camp. Their guidance, encouragement and humour helped make the experience a truly memorable one.

Surf Camp was a chance for our Year 12s to step up and step out, and they did just that. We couldn’t be prouder of how they embraced the adventure, leaned into the challenges, and came home a little more capable (and probably a little sun-kissed) than when they left.

Featured, OutdoorEducation, Resilience, SchoolCamps, StudentExperience, SurfCamp, surfing, Year12

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.