Outdoor Education

Trinity College students continued to enjoy Outdoor Education as an elective subject in 2015.

Mr Brett Silver Outdoor Education Coordinator

The combination of high numbers and enthusiastic students provided staff and students with a number of memorable experiences and camps. Students involved in Outdoor Education need to be congratulated on an outstanding year and, hopefully, they will continue to choose it as an elective subject.

Year 7 students are introduced to Outdoor Education with a variety of activities such as cooking, fishing, kayaking and snorkeling. Their experiences are always created to build friendships, communication and confidence within the cohort. The boys thoroughly enjoy the subject as seen in the following short pieces written by our Year 7 students.

In Outdoor Ed this year I really enjoyed the cooking, because after all the lessons at the end I learnt to do something in my kitchen. I also enjoyed kayaking because it was really fun doing something with your friends. Jordan Schu (7.6)

Outdoor Ed was really fun this year. Coming into it I didn’t really know what to expect. When I was told we were doing camp cooking I was really excited. I have never been camping before so to cook on the trangia stove was really cool. The highlight was cooking our own Spaghetti Bolognese. It was delicious. We then did kayaking on the Swan River. This was really fun to learn some of the techniques used to kayak better through the water. When we did snorkeling I was again unsure of it having never been snorkeling before. It turned out that by the end I found out I really enjoyed it. Coming from not much experience with outdoor activities I feel I have developed lots of necessary skills. Riley Mattingly (7.2)

My favourite subject in school is Outdoor Education because instead of being stuck in a classroom we get to go outside and enjoy a wide variety of activities such as cooking, kayaking and snorkeling. The one I enjoyed the most was kayaking because we went down to the river and saw lots of different wildlife such as birds and plants. Caleb Webb (7.6)

Year 11 students six day expedition in the north-west of Western Australia. Sailing through the islands of the Dampier Archipelago

Dampier Camp – Turner Hill Mountain Bike Trail

Dampier Camp

I absolutely loved cooking. It brought out the best in everybody. Each person did their own job and those jobs fitted perfectly together. Next year, I would like to have a program where you go fishing, then once you have caught the fish you go back and cook the fish. OE is the best thing you can do at Trinity. William Boxall (7.2)

The Year 8 boys who elected Outdoor Education continued with similar activities; however, were exposed to more theory than in the Year 7 course. These boys were also given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills on a one day mountain-biking expedition through the John Forrest National Park. Congratulations to all boys who completed the ride.

Year 10 Outdoor Education students were challenged with a three night adventure learning camp in Augusta. This camp is comprised of night caving, rock climbing, abseiling, high ropes and hiking as well as learning about the environment and how to conserve it for others to enjoy. All lessons in class are aimed at preparing students to be self-sufficient and safe while on this camp. Congratulations to all students who attended the expedition and completed all the challenges.

Our Year 11 students tackled a six day expedition in the north-west of Western Australia. Sailing through the islands of the Dampier Archipelago boys were able to demonstrate the navigational, boating and minimal impact skills they had developed throughout the year. The course is structured around the nationally accredited Certificate II in Sport and Recreation. Successful students will complete the course with external qualifications such as the Senior First Aid and the Recreational Skipper’s Ticket.

Congratulation to all students involved in Outdoor Education throughout 2015 for such a successful and enjoyable year.

A special thank you must be given to Mr Peter Oliver for his commitment to the College’s Outdoor Education program and taking on the Outdoor Education coordinator role for part of the year. Thank you to all staff involved in these expeditions: your time and effort is appreciated.

Dampier Camp – sunset at the beach

Year 12 Outdoor Education Camp

In week 10 of Term 2 the Year 12 Certificate II Outdoor Recreation students spent four days mountain biking through the pristine forests of Dwellingup along the Munda Biddi trail. As a part of the Year 12 Outdoor Education Course, students are required to complete all performance criteria within the qualification they have enrolled into. As a part of their Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation the students must participate in a mountain biking expedition. This camp provides the opportunity to evaluate the required assessment tasks within the training package.

During term 2, students had the opportunity to develop skills and prepare for the camp. The students rode in excess of 100kms in three and a half days along the Munda Biddi trail between Dwellingup and Jarrahdale. This location is a pristine riding environment but also has access to some very good camping grounds. In particular Marrinup Camp Site which we stayed at for two nights. Marrinup also has an excellent single track designed specifically for mountain biking and the track includes plenty of jumps, log roll overs, s-bends and tight corners to excite all levels of riders.

The conditions on the camp were perfect for riding during the day, however the night time temperature dipped below zero each night. I must commend all students who attended the camp and highlight their efforts, their organisation and dedicated approach made the expedition a success. Well done boys.

Mr Brett Silver Outdoor Education Coordinator

Sport