Head of Outdoor Education - Edition 15 - 2021

2022 Outdoor Ed Calendar

The Outdoor Ed Calendar for 2022 can be downloaded below. More information about trips will become available closer to the relevant date.

New Zealand Multi-Activity Expedition

The 2021 Duke of Edinburgh's International Award/OED New Zealand Multi-Activity Expedition has had to be postponed for this year, however, we are delighted to be able to offer this trip for 2022, and registrations are now open.

The Trip itinerary includes highlights such as:

• Four days of Hiking in the Classic Young/Wilkins Valley with an exciting Alpine crossing
• Canyoning, Climbing and White-water Kayaking in World Class sites on the South Island
• Two days of optional adventures or leisure around Queenstown

Bushwalking experience is recommended but can easily be developed during the 2022 school year through our Duke of Ed program.

Trip Cost – Approximately $2,450
Dates – Sunday 4 to Friday 16 December 2022 (please be flexible one day either side until flights have been booked)

The Trip has a capacity of 21-30 students. 15 places have already been filled. Parents and students are advised that this trip is biennial and in previous years the trip has filled within weeks of being open.

Further details about the trip can be found in the document below. Parents/Guardians are asked to complete the attached consent form and return it to the Senior School Office or Outdoor Ed Office as soon as possible. You can view a video of the 2018 trip here:

If you have any queries about the trip, then please contact me via Email.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Rockclimbing Trip

Twenty-eight students from Years 7 to 11 attended the three-day climbing trip in the Adelaide Hills over the Show weekend. A further three Year 12 Outdoor Education students also assisted in setting up climbing sites and acting as assistant leaders.

Day one was conducted at two indoor climbing venues at Beyond Bouldering and Holden Hill. Students were introduced to a wide range of climbs that had different colour holds to indicate the line and grade of the climb. Grades ranged from low teens to mid-twenties with many students being very successful in reaching the top of numerous climbs.

Day two and three started with sunshine and climbs were set up in Morialta and Onkaparinga Gorge’s Top Cliff. Eight climbs of different levels of difficulty ranging from grade 10 to 19 challenged the student’s nerves and techniques. Challenges included dealing with tiny footholds, overhangs, corner cracks and crimp holds. The newly landscaped Top Cliff climbing site was enjoyed by all involved.

Year 8/9 Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Program

If students wish to join the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Program and participate in expeditions they need to register and set up an ORB (Online Record Book). Information and Links are below. Normally we would have over 60% of the year cohort involved in this exciting and rewarding program.

Information about the Award can be viewed here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX09zAStCGg or follow this link to Duke of Ed information to register and set up Online Record Book (ORB).

Gordon Begg
Head of Outdoor Education