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Pushing the Boundaries

Pushing the Boundaries, the School’s well-researched Outdoor Education program is designed to enrich student’s spirit, expand their capabilities and broaden the depth of their experiences within a natural environment. By ‘pushing the boundaries’ in ways they may never have thought possible, students develop personal attributes of grit, courage and determination and experience personal growth and development.

Outdoor Education is a fundamental, memorable and compulsory component to the St Peter’s College School experience. The program commences in Year 3 and culminates in the Year 10 21-day journey; frequently recounted by students as one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences of their SPSC journey.

Pushing the Boundaries is a sequential program that enables students to build a foundation in outdoor learning and year by year, grow in confidence and develop skills to thrive in a wilderness setting:

The first Outdoor Education experience focuses on building new relationships, skills, knowledge and enjoyment in the outdoors. Activities include damper making, scavenger hunt, Aboriginal Dreaming art session and walk, group games and initiatives, as well as an introduction to personal reflection and immersion in nature.

 

Students are immersed in the world of Colin Thiele’s Storm Boy, as they explore the Murray River and Coorong region. Students build confidence, grow friendships and develop social skills as they comb 90 Mile Beach, share meals on the Coorong waterfront, lookout for Mr Percival and most significantly, learn from Traditional Owners, the Ngarrindjeri.

The program is designed to build on basic camping skills and allow groups to participate in outdoor, cultural and sustainability activities including sailing, fishing, art, cycling, a cultural language session, surfing at Middleton and a Big Duck Boat tour at Victor Harbor.

Students kayaking on a camp

Outdoor activities include combing white sandy beaches, finding secret coves, exploring the Naracoorte caves and venturing to extinct volcanoes and sinkholes. The experience offers a wide range of team-building activities and adventure challenges that are designed to foster resilience, advance problem-solving skills, learn to work as part of a team, and develop an appreciation for the great outdoors.

An overnight lead-in program at Finniss prepares students for their Mt Crawford expedition that includes hiking, kayaking, mountain bike riding and other outdoor camping activities. As the first expedition style camp, these five days in the Mount Lofty Ranges builds a foundation for longer journeys in the years to come.

Students mountain bike riding on a school camp in a forest

An overnight lead-in program at Finniss prepares students for their journey in small groups exploring the Adelaide Hills and the Fleurieu Peninsula. Activities include rock climbing, canoeing orienteering, surfing and cooking

Students journey in small groups exploring wilderness areas of the Yorke Peninsula. They are challenged mentally and physically which prepares them for their Year 10 21-day journey.

Students walking across a beach on a school camp

The Pushing the Boundaries Program culminates in a 21-day journey at the end of Semester 1. Students, in small expedition groups, complete an epic journey through the Flinders Ranges. Activities include abseiling, rock climbing, hiking and mountain bike riding. During this challenging journey students explore themes of character and challenge and experience a solo night in the wilderness.

Students trecking across the Flinders Rangers on a school camp

Our Outdoor Education Programs strive to be exceptional and uncompromising in nurturing students who are well prepared to step into the world equipped to engage with truth, actively demonstrate respect, and to generously serve others. We aim to do this by:

Students walking on a school camp in the Flinders Rangers

“The hardest moments of camp were also the highlights.”

- JACK, YEAR 10 STUDENT, POST 21 DAY JOURNEY


Exploration Society

As part of the society, students in Years 7 to 12 engage in outdoor activities with our Outdoor Education staff on weekends throughout the year and in school holidays. Exploration Society can be used as an opportunity to build confidence and skills to complement the Pushing the Boundaries Program, or as an opportunity to stretch and extend one’s knowledge and skills in the outdoors. Activities and expeditions include rock climbing, mountain bike riding, rafting, fishing and surfing.

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Student climbing a rock

Exploration Society

As part of the society, students in Years 7 to 12 engage in outdoor activities with our Outdoor Education staff on weekends throughout the year and in school holidays. Exploration Society can be used as an opportunity to build confidence and skills to complement the Pushing the Boundaries Program, or as an opportunity to stretch and extend one’s knowledge and skills in the outdoors. Activities and expeditions include rock climbing, mountain bike riding, rafting, fishing and surfing.

LEARN MORE

Student climbing a rock