Year 7 Exodus: Building strong foundations

At St Michael’s, we view our Outdoor Education Program as an integral part of the learning journey. Each year, there is an emphasis on personal growth through various outdoor experiences, with Year 7 focusing on friendships and foundations.

During this year's program students camped at Balnarring, Shoreham and Warrandyte. They were excited to participate in activities including surfing, bushwalking, abseiling, orienteering, cooking, beach games, art and learning about the local coastal environments. These activities are designed to allow students to build friendships, develop a solid foundation of outdoor skills, and connect with the natural environment. For many in the cohort, Year 7 Exodus was their first Outdoor Education experience. An important aspect of Exodus is allowing students to bond and build relationships within their House group. Encouraging students to form strong connections in their House community is essential, as those peers will be a key support network throughout their St Michael’s experience.

Students focused on working together and getting the best out of their group, and themselves, in order to successfully complete the challenges. The outcomes of this program aim to strengthen students’ foundations not only in their friendships but also in areas such as work ethic and cooperation to assist them in their academic studies at school.

Mr John Sanderson Director of Experiential Learning