Head of Outdoor Education - Edition 9 - 2020

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Expeditions for Years 9 to 12

Due to the lifting and easing of restrictions the Outdoor Education program is back!

The following expeditions are available during Terms 2, 3 and 4. Information packs can collected from the OED office, on Inspire at Play @ West Outdoor Education or follow the link for each trip.

Website Home Page: https://inspire.westminster.sa.edu.au/Play/OutdoorEducation/Pages/default.aspx

Please note that due to the current state border travel restrictions and the Johnston Hut closure for season 2020, the Telemark cross-country ski trip near Falls Creek planned for July has been cancelled.

Years 8/9 Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

If students wish to join the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and participate in expeditions, they need to register and set up an ORB (Online Record Book).

Information and Links follow. Normally we would have over 60% of the year cohort involved in this exciting and rewarding program.

Opportunities are available in Term 3 from the list above.

Information about the Award can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX09zAStCGg

or the Westminster version can be viewed by students here: https://inspire.westminster.sa.edu.au/Play/OutdoorEducation/Pages/default.aspx

Mt Remarkable Bushwalk

View some photos from the walk https://photos.app.goo.gl/2fh9miijdfy7bCMTA

On the June long weekend, 15 Westminster students participated in a three day bushwalk within the Mount Remarkable National Park. A range of enthusiastic students from Year 8 and 9 (organised into two groups) started and finished their journey from the popular Mambray Creek Picnic area.

Students were self-sufficient, carrying everything for three days (apart from water available each day) in rucksacks. All camped at Kingfisher Dam campsite on the first evening and were split between camping on top of The Battery on the second night. The groups navigated on tracks and across untracked scenic terrain, developing their navigation skills, under the guidance of instructors.

Although the temperature was quite cool during the evenings, the clear skies enabled brilliant star gazing opportunities, as well as excellent weather for walking during the days. Highlights of the trip included walking amongst massive River Red-gums between the rugged and vibrant red cliffs of the gorges (including Alligator Gorge); many creeks with flowing water; rock scrambling up and over obstacles in the gorges; overlooking the northern tip of the Spencer Gulf and beyond from a high vantage point (both during daylight and at night); taking in the beautiful scenery and spending time with school friends out of the classroom.

The staff were impressed with the way students conducted themselves throughout the expedition; being well prepared, developing new bushwalking and camp-craft skills and proudly displaying responsible risk-taking and environmentally friendly behaviour. The staff look forward to future journeys with these students.

The expedition was a big success for staff and students alike.

Thanks to Fraser Darcy, Michaela Mooney and Brodie Eckert for assisting and instructing on the trip.

Year 11/12 Outdoor Education

During Week 9, nearly 70 Year 11/12 Outdoor Education students will be involved in adventurous journeys due to the easing of restrictions.

Year 11 students will be climbing at Onkaparinga Gorge and Surf Kayaking at Moana.

Year 12 students have the option of Bushwalking in Innes National Park or Sea Kayaking along the South Coast between Cape Jervis and Myponga Beach.

View photos of some kayaking preparation activities https://petechatfieldphotography.smugmug.com/Westsports/n-KhpsRX/

Gordon Begg
Head of Outdoor Education