When you think of Outdoor Education you probably think of camping, abseiling, bush walking, climbing, kayaking, ziplining and other adventure activities in the great outdoors, right? Outdoor Education is definitely all of this but it is also so much more.
Outdoor Education is a vital part of the Hale School curriculum focused on personal and social development, critical thinking and management of personal risk. While the boys have an adventure with their mates, they are actually facing new challenges, coming up with solutions, and developing life skills like resilience, perseverance and negotiation skills.
Outdoor Education is an integral part of the Hale experience, from Year 4 to Year 10. The program is scaffolded each year to build on the last experience while allowing scope for new students to engage at any stage. The pinnacle of the Outdoor Education experience at Hale is the Exmouth adventure in Year 9, where the boys take part in expedition activities and work with environmental agencies over an extended two-week period.
Year 4 – The Lorax Adventure
2 days, Hale School campus and surrounding bushland
Year 5 – Dwellingup
4 days, dormitories, Dwellingup
Year 6 – Great Southern Discovery
5 days, dormitories and camping, Albany
Year 7 – Nannup Bush Camp
4 days, camping, Nannup
Year 8 – Nannup Expedition
5 days, camping, Nannup region
Year 9 – Exmouth Expedition
2 weeks, camping, Exmouth region
Year 10 – Optional tours & short courses
Interstate or overseas expedition. Not compulsory.
Year 11 – Rottnest Challenge
1 day, Rottnest Island
Years 11 – Outdoor Education General course
3 days, Nannup region + 3 days, Dwellingup
Years 12 – Outdoor Education General course
2 days, Perth waters + 4 days, Blackwood River
“This experience has been transformative in developing my leadership skills beyond what I ever could have imagined… The benefits of spending a great deal of time amongst nature and working together as a team cannot be underestimated – it’s a skill for life – and this experience is ours to keep.”
Ethan Guo, Year 9, Exmouth Frontier Group 2023
