Outdoor Education General
Through interaction with the natural world, Outdoor Education aims to develop an understanding of our relationship with ourselves, others and the ecosystem.
Courses
Year 11 General Course
The Outdoor Education General course in particular, focuses on outdoor activities in a range of environments including: rope mobility, climbing and abseiling, white water kayaking and rescue, bushwalking, mountain biking, snorkelling, expedition planning, and surfing.
The course provides students with an opportunity to develop essential life skills such as communication, leadership and self-management, whilst building a comprehensive understanding of the role they play in the environment. The course aims to provide the boys with the skills necessary to pursue personal interests or a career in outdoor activities, such as environmental management, eco-tourism and vertical rope access.
The Outdoor Education General course is designed to facilitate achievement of the following outcomes:
Outcome 1 – Understanding the principles of outdoor education
Outcome 2 – Skills for safe participation in outdoor activities
Outcome 3 – Understanding of the environment
Outcome 4 – Self-management and interpersonal skills in outdoor activities
Unit 1 - Experiencing the Outdoors
Via: Snorkelling expedition at Rottnest
Students are introduced to outdoor adventure activities where they can develop and improve technical skills and apply appropriate practices to ensure safe participation.
They understand basic planning and organisational requirements necessary for them to participate in safe, short-duration excursions/expeditions in selected outdoor activities.
They begin developing skills in roping and navigation. Students are introduced to personal skills and interpersonal skills, including self-awareness, communication and leadership. Features of natural environments, and examples of local environmental management and ‘Leave No Trace’ principles, are introduced.
Unit 2 - Facing Challenges in the Outdoors
Via: Riding the Munda Biddi trail
Students consider planning and resource requirements related to extended excursions/short-duration expeditions. They are introduced to simple risk assessment models to assist decision-making and apply safe practices to cope with challenging situations and environments.
They develop time management and goal setting skills to work with others and explore strategies for building group relationships. They understand the main styles of leadership and how to use strategies to promote effective groups. Features of natural environments and components of weather are introduced, along with conservation, biodiversity and environmental management plans.
Assessments
Investigation
25%Students plan and conduct research and communicate their findings.
There are three tasks for this assessment based on outdoor experience, self and others and environmental awareness:
- Two Rottnest Expedition Planner assessments (validations) .Weighted 5% & 7.5%
- One Munda Biddi Expedition planner. Weighted 12.5%
Performance 1: specific to outdoor adventure activity skills and strategies
30%Students develop and refine skills and strategies used in an outdoor adventure activity.
There following skills are assessed:
- Snorkelling 10%
- Orienteering 5%
- Mountain biking 10%
- Knots and Rigging 5%
Performance 2: specific to expedition
20%Students apply skills and strategies while on expedition with a focus on the mode of travel studied in the course.
There are two parts to this assessment based on outdoor experience, self and others and environmental awareness:
- Rottnest Expedition Practical performance 10%
- Munda Biddi: Practical performance 10%
Response
25%Students analyse and respond to stimuli or prompts.
There are two parts to this assessment based on outdoor experience, self and others and environmental awareness:
- Rottnest Expedition: logbook/Journal 12.5%
- Munda Biddi: logbook/Journal 12.5%
Year 12 General Course
Unit 3 – Building confidence in the outdoors
Via: Climbing and Abseiling
Students understand planning and organisational requirements necessary for them to participate in safe, short-duration excursions/expeditions. Students participate in outdoor adventure activities where they develop and improve their technical skills, apply appropriate practices to ensure safe participation, and begin to develop survival skills. Students develop personal skills related to flexibility in coping and adapting to change and in monitoring such things as the elements in an environment, or the participation of individuals in activities and expeditions. Features and relationships in natural environments are examined. Weather components, patterns and forecasting are introduced. Students develop a greater understanding of human interactions with nature, past and present. Sustainability is introduced and local issues are examined.
Unit 4 – Outdoor leadership
Via: A canoeing expedition down the Murray River
Students consider planning and organisational requirements necessary for them to participate in positive and safe, short-duration excursions/expeditions in selected outdoor activities. Students engage in outdoor activities where they develop and improve their technical skills, and apply appropriate practices to ensure safe participation. They continue to develop navigational skills and respond to an emergency in the outdoors. Students focus on developing commitment, tolerance, resilience, and conflict resolution skills. Students lead briefing and debriefing sessions and appraise their own and others’ leadership skills. Students continue to forecast weather and apply strategies to minimise human impact on natural environments. They explore sustainability projects and understand human responsibility for the environment.
Assessments
Investigation
15%Students plan and conduct research and communicate their findings.
There are two tasks for this assessment based on outdoor experience; self and others; and environmental awareness:
- Margaret River Climbing and Abseiling Expedition Planner. Weighted 7.5%
- Murray River Canoeing Expedition Planner. Weighted 7.5%
Performance 1: specific to outdoor adventure activity skills and strategies
30%Students develop and refine skills and strategies used in an outdoor adventure activity.
The following skills are assessed:
- Surfing 7.5%
- Climbing and abseiling 7.5%
- Canoeing 7.5%
- Kayaking 7.5%
Performance 2: specific to expedition
20%Students apply skills and strategies while on expedition, with a focus on the mode of travel studied in the course.
There are two parts to this assessment based on outdoor experience, self and others and environmental awareness:
- Margaret River climbing and abseiling expedition 10%
- Murray River canoeing expedition 10%
Response
20%Students analyse and respond to stimuli or prompts.
There are two parts to this assessment based on outdoor experience, self and others and environmental awareness:
- Margaret River Expedition: logbook/Journal 10%
- Murray River Expedition: logbook/Journal 10%
Externally Set Task
15%A written task or item or set of items of 50 minutes duration developed by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority and administered by the school.