A LOVE OF LEARNING OUTSIDE

Junior School students at Peter Carnley Anglican Community School are deepening their understanding of the natural environment by taking their learning into the local bushland.

Year 2 students are exploring their local bushland, Henley Reserve, which is a mere hop, skip and jump away from the School’s Wellard Campus. Guided by their teacher and mentors from Educated by Nature, an organisation that provides learning programs in natural spaces, students are broadening their connection to self, nature and community.

The program comprises two-hour ‘Connection’ lessons run over six weeks by a trained Connection Mentor. Students participate in ‘Core’ routines that create strong bonds with their natural space and help them to develop skills that promote mental and physical wellbeing. The series focuses on local birds or flora and follows a pattern of:

1. Gratitude

2. Wilderness awareness games

3. Wandering challenges

4. Sit spots

5. Journaling and sharing stories.

Year 2 teacher, Miss Tori D’Ulisse, has witnessed growth in the comfort and connection between students as the program has progressed.

“I am really noticing a difference in my students. They are more cooperative with each other working in groups, and they are helping each other through activities,” said Miss D’Ulisse.

“There are so many connections to the school curriculum and this experience opens up so many more engaging follow-up projects, particularly linked to

Science and HASS investigations.

“I have seen the students become increasingly more comfortable learning outdoors, and it has been so rewarding watching their excitement and curiosity in the bush environment.”

The group conversations, observational drawing, and language development are helping students to build on their acute awareness, observation, creative and critical thinking skills.

“These innovative and engaging nature play areas not only capture the imaginations of our students, but inspire creativity and a genuine a love of learning,” said Ms Felicity House, Principal.

From the students:

“I learnt about the Noongar seasons. My favourite time is when we get five minutes quiet time because lots of birds came to see me.” Zach E

“I feel excited because we get to explore lots of stuff. I’ve enjoyed when we explored all of the lands.” Taneesha M

“I really want to find some more scorpions because I have only found one on a log.” Ewan M