Head of Outdoor Education - Edition 16 - 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.

Westventure 2022

All Year 10 students in 2022 participate in this 12-day Residential Outdoor Education program in their House Groups. This program is unique to Westminster School and forms a lasting memory and learning experience for the students involved. An information pack was emailed to all parents of students involved last week. The consent forms are due back at school by Friday 5 November.

As part of the lead-up, all Year 9 students will be involved in sail/kayak training in Week 8 and First Aid training in Week 9.

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.

Adelaide Hills and The Bluff Rockclimbing Trip

Over the October holidays, 26 students and six staff were involved in three days of top-rope climbing and various types of abseils. Students participated in climbing activities every day with many students completing Silver and Gold requirements whilst interacting with many other avid climbers from around Adelaide. Thank you to everyone involved in making this trip possible.

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