Head of Outdoor Education - Edition 2 - 2019

Merit Ceremony

The 2018 Outdoor Education classes consisting of 38 students again achieved outstanding results across all levels reinforcing the opportunities available for Westminster students.

Most of these achievements have their foundations in Westventure, Year 11 Outdoor Education and numerous Duke of Edinburgh's International Award level expeditions. When the students pursue their studies in Year 12, they have a fantastic platform to extend themselves and to excel on their chosen expeditions, risk and environmental analysis.

Congratulations to the five students who achieved a Merit at the recent ceremony at Government House, Lily Brice-Marwood, Heidi Collins, Jessica Johnson, Olivia Pieck and Thomas Taplin.

In total there were 16 Westminster students who achieved an A+ grade and another 17 students who achieved an A grade. Overall these are pretty amazing results for the cohort. Congratulations to all of the 2018 Outdoor Education group.

Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Program

Now that we are in Term 1 of a new year, students should be looking at their Bronze, Silver and Gold ORB (Online record books) and assessing whether they could finish their relevant Award Level early this year in anticipation of moving on to the next level.

Sometimes many areas are completed and it just needs the recording and sign-off requirements to be met. Given the extra incentive of 10 SACE credits for each of the Bronze and Silver Awards and 20 credits for the prestigious Gold Award, I urge students to take this task on.

Calendar and Website

The Calendar of trips for 2019 can be downloaded below.

Our updated Outdoor Education website has been developed and provides another platform to find out about the opportunities available at Westminster including all consent forms for all Outdoor Education and Duke of Ed Expeditions.

The website is available for students and parents at https://inspire.westminster.sa.edu.au/Play/OutdoorEducation/Pages/default.aspx

Tasmania 2019

In December we are planning for a group of Duke of Edinburgh students to complete the famous Walls of Jerusalem walking circuit, a day of white-water kayaking on the Derwent River and then a few days of rock-climbing at the coastal area of Freycinet. These end-of-year trips are a great culminating experience for students who are keen to pursue their involvement in expeditions in environments totally diverse from SA.

Westventure

The first two of the Westventure camps for 2019 were a great introduction to the school year for over 70 students from six Houses. The weather has tested the students and staff with the flexibility of the program proving that the student outcomes can be achieved despite a degree of modification and adapting to deal with heat or strong winds.

Students have excelled in 5km and 17 km running/jogging/walking activities, kayaking and sailing instruction, two significant two to three day expeditions, and a wealth of learning activities that foster growth, development and self-discovery.

The Outdoor Education Staff have been impressed from the start and this has been re-enforced by the many visitors, including the Principal, Head of Senior School, Heads of House and School House Captains who have visited the Westventure campus.

Holiday Expeditions

We will be conducting a number of expeditions over the April Holidays.

20 Duke of Edinburgh students can visit Innes National Park on Yorke Peninsula for a four day bushwalk, intermixed with a bit of snorkelling and beachcombing activities.

The two Year 12 Outdoor education classes will spend five days climbing the crags at Mount Arapiles in Victoria. Students will complete top rope climbs, multi-pitch climbs and will display the talent to be an independent rock-climbing expedition member. Numerous environmental issues and studies will also be undertaken.

Selected individuals will also be completing an open water PADI scuba diving course to gain certification in the activity. This will be conducted through Adelaide scuba at Glenelg.

Details are on the Outdoor Education website.

Gordon Begg
Head of Outdoor Education