Senior School Outdoor Education

Learning Beyond the Classroom

At St Hilda’s, we believe that extraordinary futures are sparked by experiences that challenge, inspire and transform. Outdoor Education is an integral part of our Senior School journey, designed not just to build skills, but to shape character.

From the moment your daughter steps into the natural world with her peers, she begins to uncover new strengths: confidence, adaptability, self-awareness and respect for others. Whether navigating through a forest trail, cooking under the stars, or reflecting quietly outdoors, she is learning to lead herself and, in time, others.

Outdoor Education at St Hilda’s is not an add-on, it’s a powerful, purposeful part of our curriculum that prepares students for life well beyond school. It strengthens wellbeing, fosters independence, and empowers girls to become curious, capable and courageous young women.

It’s where your daughter begins to realise that the most extraordinary futures are not handed to us, they are discovered, one step at a time.

Compulsory Programs: Confidence in Every Step

Our Outdoor Education framework is intentionally sequenced from Years 7 to 10, with each experience building upon the last. Across these years, students participate in immersive, multi-day camps that focus on:

  • Developing independence and resilience
  • Strengthening collaboration and leadership
  • Building environmental understanding and stewardship
  • Exploring personal identity and respectful relationships

By Year 10, students are leading their own expeditions and navigating unfamiliar terrain, both literally and metaphorically. These experiences are formative chapters in your daughter’s story.

Year Level Outdoor Education Experiences

Optional Pursuits: Adventure, Choice and Challenge

For those eager to explore even further, our Optional Pursuits Program offers students the chance to push boundaries and pursue their passions. These activities are designed for different stages of Senior School and may take place on weekends or during school holidays. Opportunities may include:

  • Ski trips
  • Snorkelling and scuba diving
  • Surfing adventures
  • Sea kayaking expeditions
  • Marine discovery tours

These experiences deepen personal growth, ignite new interests, and foster friendships across year levels. They also encourage students to step out of their comfort zones and engage with the world around them in a meaningful way.

Whether diving into coral reefs or skiing down mountains, students learn that adventure and learning go hand in hand.

Yeagarup: A Place to Disconnect and Reconnect

Tucked away in the heart of the Karri forest near Pemberton, our Yeagarup Campus is a dedicated outdoor education centre that brings our philosophy to life. Purpose-built for learning, reflection and adventure, the campus features chalet accommodation, sustainable systems, nature-based classrooms, and direct access to bushwalking and canoeing locations.

Yeagarup is more than a location—it’s a place where stories are shared, challenges are met, and lifelong memories are made. It’s here that our Year 7 and our Wandering Spirit program unfolds, inviting students to disconnect from technology and reconnect with themselves, each other and the environment.

Whether navigating the towering sand dunes, exploring the rich biodiversity of the region, or developing lifelong friendships, every moment at Yeagarup is an opportunity for growth and discovery.