Excursions

School excursions are an important and effective means of motivating children and engaging them in active learning experiences. Excursions are carefully planned as part of the educational program at each year level. Children will experience people visiting the school, eg, an author, people to give educational talks and displays or performing groups. They will take part in excursions both locally and beyond the local district.

At the time of excursions, information will be sent home regarding the excursion and a form requesting contact telephone numbers for the day of the excursion and medical treatment consent will need to be signed and filled in by parents.

Often teachers organising the excursion will request volunteer parents to help in the supervision of groups during the outing. This is usually arranged by personal contact with the teacher.

Camps

School camps or tours for students are a valuable aspect of a fully rounded program of development for children. The aims of our Camp program are:

• to provide educational experiences unable to be catered for at school, eg, visit to local industries, places of historical interest, etc.

• to help instill an appreciation of the natural environment of the area being visited.

• to provide opportunities for physical development, eg, hiking, general fitness, outdoor activities.

• to provide opportunities for social interaction and to give experience in living and co-operating in a group.

• to help build each child’s sense of independence.

• to provide the challenge of coping with different surroundings and the opportunity of displaying initiative and responsibility in different settings.

• to provide children with a range of experiences that can be a focus for classroom curriculum activities.

Every effort is made to keep costs down while providing safe, interesting and suitable opportunities. Details are provided well in advance so that they can be budgeted for over a period of time.

In 2005 the Grade 5 / 6 camp will be held at Forest Lodge, Yarram. The Grade 3 / 4 camp will be at Gundiwindi Lodge, Wandin.