Outdoor education

Outdoor Education is learning about the outdoors, and learning in the outdoors.

Outdoor Education gives girls a range of activities outside their usual environment, so that they learn to face challenges and develop self-reliance. As girls work in small groups, they develop cooperative group skills. The activities encourage them to use initiative and take responsibility for their own and the group's actions.

Through our outdoor education program we aim to have every girl:

• challenge herself mentally and physically
• work as a member of a team in challenging outdoor situations
• have opportunities of leadership
• solve simple physical problems relating to basic survival
• overcome physical, mental and relationship obstacles
• develop resilience and self-reliance
• learn to see and understand nature and its intricate balances
• have time for self-reflection

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme

Wenona's outdoor education program equips girls with skills that provide a smooth entry to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Girls begin the Scheme in Year 9 and continue through to Year 12 and beyond. The Award includes four sections: Community Service, Physical Recreation, Skills and Expeditions.

Many girls complete the Skills and Expedition sections while overseas on cultural exchange programs in countries such as France, Germany and Japan.

These opportunities, combined with hiking, canoeing and mountain biking expeditions, physical recreation through sporting programs and Wenona's community service program, give girls many opportunities to individualise their own program in the Scheme.