Junior School Outdoor Education
Foundations for the Future
At St Hilda’s, we know that extraordinary futures begin with small steps and big discoveries. Our Junior School Outdoor Education program introduces girls to the wonder of the outdoors, helping them develop confidence, curiosity and independence through meaningful, age-appropriate experiences from Years 2 to 6.
Through nature-based learning, cultural exploration, and team-building challenges, your daughter begins to understand her place in the world and the capabilities she holds within.
A Carefully Designed Journey of Growth
Each stage of the program builds on the last, guiding students from local day excursions in the early years to overnight camps in our purpose-built Yeagarup Campus by Year 5. This gradual increase in responsibility, adventure and independence ensures that by the time students reach Senior School, they are equipped with the resilience, leadership and self-belief needed to thrive.
Throughout the program, students learn to:
- Work collaboratively and communicate effectively
- Show initiative and take responsibility
- Embrace challenge and adapt to new environments
- Build respect for the natural world and different cultures
The outdoors becomes more than a setting; it becomes a teacher.
Year 4 Outdoor Education Program
Location:
The Year 4 program will be held at St Hilda’s Senior School and Junior School campus. Students will also explore the local areas of Manners Park and the Swan River (Mosman Bay).
The Program:
Under the direction of the St Hilda’s Outdoor Education department, the Year 4 program is a fun-filled afternoon and sleepover in the outdoors. Continuing with the theme from Year 3, the students are encouraged to learn through investigation and exploration to help develop their level of comfort and knowledge of the Australian outdoors.
Girls will participate in:
- Learning basic snorkelling skills in the St Hilda’s Pool
- Interactive Australian Animal Encounter provided by Peel Zoo
- Bay View Map and Clue Adventure based around the Senior campus to Manners Hill Park
- Beachcombing along the Swan River in Mosman Bay
- Sleepover (Junior School campus in tents)
- BBQ dinner under the stars
- Lunch, dinner, breakfast and snacks are provided.
Year 5 Outdoor Education Program
Location:
The Year 5 program will be held at St Hilda’s new Outdoor Education Centre in Yeagarup. Yeagarup campus is located just out of Pemberton nestled in state forests and farmland. It is a 7.4-hectare property, complete with an orchard, herb gardens and its own water tank. It is located near the Bibbulman Track, Munda Bindi bike trail and the Gloucester State Forest. The new facility will have state-of-the-art facilities to help deliver amazing educational outcomes for our girls.
The Program:
The program will focus on introducing the students to the Australian bush in a safe and comfortable environment. There will be a focus on sustainable food practices as well as introducing basic outdoor skills.
Some of the activities, students will take part in include:
- Pemberton Tram Trail
- Indigenous session
- Discovery trail orienteering
- Bush cooking (sustainability session)
- Raft building/tubes
- Veggie garden (ecological footprint activity)
- Camping in tents
- Sleeping in dorms
Year 6 Outdoor Education Program
Location:
The Year 6 program will be held at St Hilda’s new Outdoor Education Centre in Yeagarup. Yeagarup campus is located just out of Pemberton nestled in state forests and farmland. It is a 7.4-hectare property, complete with an orchard, herb gardens and its own water tank. It is located near the Bibbulman Track, Munda Bindi bike trail and the Gloucester State Forest. The new facility will have state-of-the-art facilities to help deliver amazing educational outcomes for our girls.
The Program:
The Year 6 program has been designed to enable girls to consolidate a comfortable, safe and positive outdoor experience within the Pemberton region. Having been introduced to the great southern forests and Yeagarup campus in Year 6, students will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the indigenous culture, sustainability, explore their ecological footprint and positive communal living skills.
Girls will participate in:
- Exploring the Big Brook Dam by canoe in preparation for aquatic activities in the following year-level camps
- Both evenings spent camping, will involve students working together to create a variety of delicious meals
- A cultural session will be facilitated through an interactive evening session
- Activities that build an understanding of local sustainable food practices that help to understand their ecological footprint
- High/low ropes course.
Yeagarup: More Than a Camp
Set in the South-West’s stunning Karri forest, Yeagarup is our dedicated Outdoor Education campus. Designed to support reflection and learning, it offers sustainable accommodation, shared kitchens, orchards, bush trails and access to canoeing, hiking and cultural education experiences.
For our Junior students, it’s the first taste of extended time in the outdoors, disconnected from devices, deeply connected to self, others and the environment.
