A Uniting Church coeducational independent day and boarding school on Kaurna Country, Adelaide, South Australia
Early Learning to Year 12
The 2020 Outdoor Education classes consisting of 35 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 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 three students who achieved a Merit at the recent ceremony at Government House, Kaine Baldwin, Kurt Schenk and Alice Wyness.
In total there were 15 Westminster students who achieved an A+ grade and another 13 students who achieved an A grade. Overall these are pretty amazing results for the cohort. Congratulations to all of the 2020 Outdoor Education group.
The following expeditions are offered during 2021. Information packs can be collected from the Outdoor Ed office (now located in the Sports and Swimming Centre) in 2021.
Following on from the introduction of Year 7 in 2020, and modifications to Outdoor Education Program offerings due to COVID-19 interruptions, we are pleased to confirm the following arrangements for Term 2 2021.
During Week 1 (Tuesday 20 to Friday 23 April) and Week 2 (Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 April) of Term 2, all Year 9 students will complete a four-day lightweight expedition from the following choices:
All expeditions will be aimed as an introduction to the outdoor activity and expedition skills building on the experience gained on the Year 8 Camp. 9.1, 9.2 and half of 9.3 will attend in Week 1 and 9.4, 9.5 and the rest of 9.3 will attend in Week 2.
Numbers will be capped at a maximum of 20-25 students for each offering due to equipment and risk management protocols.
During Week 5 (Monday 17 to Friday 21 May) of Term 2, all Year 8 students will complete a five-day Outdoor Education program involving staying at Mylor Baptist Adventure Centre participating in high ropes and other adventure challenges, plus an extended bushwalking expedition in the vicinity of Kuitpo Forest.
During Week 3 (Monday 3 Friday 7 May) of Term 2, all Year 7 students will complete a three-day Outdoor Education program at Douglas Scrub and Onkaparinga Gorge near McLaren Flat. Students will participate in their class groups and involve themselves in orienteering, abseiling, high ropes and bush-dancing activities whilst camping in tents and cooking on Trangia stoves.
More details for all camps will be released in Term 1 2021.
The 2021 Duke of Edinburgh/OED New Zealand Multi-Activity Expedition is now full with a standby list. The proposed 2020 trip was postponed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The Trip itinerary includes highlights such as:
Bushwalking experience is recommended but can easily be developed during the 2021 school year through our Duke of Ed program.
Trip Cost – Approximately $2450
Dates – Friday 3 to Wednesday 15 December (please be flexible one day either side until flights have been booked)
Further details about the Trip can be found in the document below.
To see a video of the 2018 trip, please visit https://youtu.be/d5RsNLNwo84. If you have any queries about the Trip, then please contact me via Email.
The first two Westventure camps for 2021 have been a great introduction to the school year for over 66 from six Houses. Sam Ferguson is settled into the coordinator role and is backed up by a highly skilled instructor team filled with enthusiastic Old Scholar involvement. 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 varying conditions.
Students have excelled in 5km and 17km 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 with 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 leaders who have visited the Westventure campus.
Gordon Begg
Head of Outdoor Education