Outdoor Education

The Pymble Outdoor Education program is a continuum of our education philosophy. It is a lifechanging program embedded in personal growth, connection to peers, life skills, service, rites of passage and environmental stewardship.

In Kindergarten and Year 1, programs will involve nature walking, campfire experiences, storytelling, bush art, team building activities and reflection time.

In Years 2 and 3, our girls participate in their first overnight experience. Girls are involved in a regular program of environmental education and nature play across the Pymble and Vision Valley campuses.

In Years 4 and 5, girls experience a number of team building and unstructured play opportunities at Vision Valley, in addition to a two-night adventure with a focus on connections to peers, staff and nature, pushing comfort zones and developing expedition skills. Our Year 6 girls are extended further in preparation for their transition to Secondary School in a three-night overnight experience.

In 2023, girls from Years 4 and 5 will embark on our new Hawkesbury adventure program to Webbs Creek. With one night camping and one in basic accommodation, girls will also have the opportunity to explore a beautiful location to the north of VIsion Valley.

As girls move into Secondary School, the duration and diversity of outdoor programs extends and will include Action Learning

Initiatives, Exploration and Expedition, Urban Challenges, Outdoor Leadership and Retreats.

In Year 7, girls embark on a fourday program based at Vision Valley. This program also includes an introductory overnight expedition in the Hawkesbury region.

Year 8 girls head to Colo Valley for a five-day expedition at the incredible Camp Somerset where they start to develop the skills required for the residential program expeditions in Year 9.

In Year 9, girls take part in a four week Residential Program at Vision Valley, where they will complete a series of expedition, fitness and relaxation programs, alongside their academic program. Girls will have the opportunity to create lasting relationships with both their peers and the natural world. In small groups, girls will be required to work together to navigate, feed and look after themselves in an expedition and tech-free environment.

Year 10 girls will have the option of attending one of four programs, including two which are brand new in 2023. The options include a five-day multi-activity adventure on the South Coast, the epic nine-day Namadji Hike in the Victorian High Plains, a five-day canyoning and climbing trip to the

Blue Mountains and a nine-day whitewater rafting expedition on the mighty Snowy River.

Extension opportunities in the Pymble Outdoor Education program include The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the Australian Army Cadets.

The Pymble Outdoor Education programs are carefully designed to support girls in the following ways:

Courage

Supporting girls to step outside their comfort zones and build character to weather the storms of life.

Wellbeing

Building connections with nature, peers and teachers and providing an opportunity to disconnect with technology and connect deeper with a sense of self.

Leadership

Providing girls with a diverse range of opportunities for leadership.

Mindfulness

Guiding girls to be present in their experience, having genuine downtime and being grateful for the moment and opportunities they receive.

Physical Fitness

The importance of physical fitness to support overall wellbeing and mental health.