Beyond the Classroom
Experiential Learning in Senior School 2025
Beyond the Classroom
We are excited to share that our experiential learning is a cornerstone of The Knox School’s Three Journeys for your child’s holistic education. Going beyond conventional classrooms, activities such as camps, immersions, challenges, entrepreneurship, and trips offer invaluable and purposeful hands -on experiences that empower students to apply acquired knowledge in realworld scenarios, enhancing practical skills and nurturing intellectual curiosity.
Our commitment to experiential learning is shaped by a continuum of sequential experiences at The Knox School that commence in the Junior School and extend well into Senior School. These experiences are intricately linked to the curriculum. Many involve project-based learning and design thinking, enabling our students to adeptly tackle challenges. This process embodies our core values of Resilience, Care and Empathy, Achievement, Respect, and Responsibility, with an added emphasis upon service, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a commitment to mastery that transcends textbooks and ensures our students possess the skills and mindset required for success in an ever -evolving world.
Character Skills Nurtured through Experiential Learning
Physical Fitness and Outdoor Skills
Developing physical endur ance, as well as specific skills like hiking, camping, and survival techniques.
Cultural Competence
Exposure to diverse cultures and communities, particularly Australia’s First Nations Peoples, enhancing understanding and tolerance.
Senior School
Experiential Learning serves as a cornerstone of the three journeys of Senior School students at The Knox School. Providing opportunities to move beyond the confines of traditional classroom settings, activities such as camps, immersions, challenges, and trips, offer invaluable, hands-on experiences that enable students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, thereby enhancing their practical skills and intellectual curiosity.
YEAR 7
The Ranch, on the Mornington Peninsula - Term 1 (Week 3)
An inquiry into how camp can facilitate connectivity between students and Mentors: Over a span of three days, at the crucial juncture of transitioning to Senior School, students engage in a series of activities. This exploration aims to lay a foundation for a successful transition year, inviting students to reflect on and contribute to their own journey of growth and community building.
Teamwork and Collaboration, Resilience and Perseverance, Communication Skills, Self-Reliance and Independence, Empathy and Social Skills
YEAR 8
Anglesea Camp - Term 1 (Week 7)
An inquiry into the relationship between students and the Victorian coastline, wetlands, and environment. This exploration encourages students to discover how their academic learning, particularly in Science, Geography and TAD, is reflected and enriched in the natural world, fostering a holistic understanding of their environment and its significance in their education.
Teamwork and Collaboration, Resilience and Perseverance, Environmental Awareness, Self-Reliance and Independence, Physical Fitness and Outdoor Skills, Risk Assessment and Safety Awareness, Cultural Competence
KEEP City Experience (Melbourne CBD) - Term 4 (Week 8)
An inquiry into the dynamics of urban life through a design thinking lens. This exploration challenges students to observe and reflect on the complexities of the metropolitan environment of Melbourne’s CBD. This journey invites students to engage deeply with their surroundings, applying design thinking principles to realworld contexts and uncovering insights about the vibrant tapestry of city.
Teamwork and Collaboration, Problem-Solving Abilities, Communication Skills, Self-Reliance and Independence, Critical Thinking, Empathy and Social Skills, Time Management, Risk Assessment and Safety Awareness, Cultural Competence
YEARS 9 & 10
Arnhem Land - Term 2 (Week 5)
This cultural immersion experience with Culture College is compulsory and is an extraordinary opportunity for our students to engage deeply with the rich cultural heritage of First Nations Australians. It is an inquiry that aligns seamlessly with the humanities curriculum as well as allows students to develop practical skills, and build character, ensuring a balanced and holistic education.
Teamwork and Collaboration, Leadership Skills, Problem-Solving Abilities, Resilience and Perseverance, Environmental Awareness, Self-Reliance and Independence, Physical Fitness and Outdoor Skills, Risk Assessment and Safety Awareness, Cultural Competence
YEAR 11
VCE Retreat - Term 4
An inquiry into enhancing Year 11 VCE success focusing on academic strategies, stress management, and collaborative learning in a university environment. This exploration examines the ways in which environment fosters confidence, focus, and improved study habits. This retreat invites students to delve into and reshape their academic journey, equipping them with the tools for success in their final year and beyond.
Leadership Skills, Communication Skills, Self-Reliance and Independence, Critical Thinking, Empathy and Social Skills, Time Management
OTHER CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
Years 7 to 12 Music Camp
An exhilarating three-day Music Camp, where passion for music and the spirit of collaboration come alive! This immersive experience, set in a picturesque location, offers the opportunity for students to enhance their musical talents through intensive rehearsals. Embrace the joy of creating harmonies in our diverse ensembles and choirs and explore the dynamics of teamwork and artistic expression. This camp is designed to foster not only musical skills but also wellbeing and camaraderie among our young musicians.
Teamwork and Collaboration, Leadership Skills, Self-Reliance and Independence, Empathy and Social Skills, Time Management
Year 9 CUBE Subject - Crews Not Passengers (Year 9 CUBE Subject)
As part of our innovative CUBE program at Year 9, Crews Not Passengers requires students to step out of their comfort zone and experience new adventures to develop their personal skills. This adventure will additionally enhance the students on their current knowledge of natural vs non-natural environments and how the environment has changed over time looking at Indigenous Culture at Halls Gap. Students attend a four-day hiking camp in the picturesque Grampians NP.
Teamwork and Collaboration, Problem-Solving Abilities, Resilience and Perseverance, Environmental Awareness, SelfReliance and Independence, Physical Fitness and Outdoor Skills, Risk Assessment and Safety Awareness, Cultural Competence
VOLUNTARY EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
YEARS 9 TO 12 - Snow Camp – Location TBC
(June/July holidays)
Snow Camp for Years 9 to 12 students, where learning leaps beyond the classroom into the exhilarating world of snow sports! Our philosophy of experiential learning, immersing students in real-world experiences to foster resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. This unique opportunity combines academic enrichment with the thrill of winter sports, ensuring a well-rounded, unforgettable educational journey. Don't miss this chance to turn the snowy slopes into a dynamic classroom
Problem Solving, Resilience and Perseverance, Communication Skills, Critical Thinking, Empathy and Social Skills, Cultural Competence, Leadership Skills
YEARS 7 TO 12 - Generations in Jazz (Term 2, Week 2)
In Term 2 the TKS Big Band and Senior Choir ensembles will have the opportunity to perform at the Generations in Jazz festival in Mt Gambier. ‘GiJ’ is one of Australia’s premier youth music events, delivering a world-class experience to students from schools around Australia and New Zealand. The event provides performance opportunities for choirs and big band ensembles as they participate in the school Awards competitions, performing a short program of jazz-style works. The event experience goes well beyond performing, with students attending performances featuring international jazz musicians & vocalists and having the opportunity to watch the performances of other students from schools. The event is held over the first weekend in May and includes over 6000 attendees.
Teamwork and Collaboration, Performance skills, Confidence, Creativity, Critical listening, Communication skills, Networking
WHOLE SCHOOL - Entrepreneurship Programs
A variety of entrepreneurial programs equip our students with the experiences to further engage with design thinking to address a challenge, through ideation, prototyping and pitching a real-world solution or product. In addition to programs, our Knoxpeditions linked to curriculum also provide opportunities for students to develop and apply entrepreneurial skills. Social enterprise is an ideal vehicle to build our students’ entrepreneurial mindset which specifically relates to being change agents as they address challenges in the community through design thinking, ideation and prototyping, being agile and pivoting when need be, and able to pitch ideas to influence others about their solution.
Teamwork and Collaboration, Leadership Skills, Resilience and Perseverance, Communication Skills, Self Reliance and Independence, Empathy and Social Skills, Time Management
