Page 14 - 2019 - Altiora Vol 70 Sem 1 B_Neat
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14 | YEAR 11 OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP COURSE
TAKING THEIR HSC OUTDOORS
This year, for the first time, BMGS has offered During the April holidays, the class spent three
an HSC 1 Unit Course in Outdoor Leadership. days practising their river crossing and caving skills,
This NSW Educational Standards Authority learning that water has immense power and needs
(NESA)-approved course provides students with to be treated with respect.
opportunities to extend personal skills and deepen Therefore, on the first day of this trip, the students
their knowledge in a range of challenging outdoor experienced the power of water in a controlled
environments. Students must plan and implement environment on the Shoalhaven River. They studied
advanced expeditions and design and implement features of rivers, discussed the many hazards and
outdoor programs.
reasons for not crossing a river, and planned and
As the emphasis of this course is placed on executed river crossings. While the river levels
developing an adventurous spirit, managing personal weren’t as high as anticipated, they certainly
risks and the value of life-long outdoor recreation experienced the impact of strong water movement
for enjoyment, health and wellbeing, this 1 Unit and all students commented on the greater respect
course ‘breaks the classroom mould’, bringing they now have for this environment.
experiential learning into the mix of more traditional This experience was followed by two exciting days
HSC subjects.
of caving at Bungonia National Park. For most, it was
Whilst it is not a pre-requisite that students must the first time they had experienced an ‘adventure
first undertake our Year 9 and 10 Wilderness cave’ and, whilst the tourist caves at Jenolan are
Education elective, the Year 11 course is a natural very beautiful, they cannot prepare you for the
progression for those students who have enjoyed experience of caving at Bungonia!
mastering the skill sets and thrived in meeting the For the students, some highlights included the
challenges set within the earlier course.
“Hairy Traverse”, where they squeezed their way
It has been a busy semester for our Year 11 down a ledge whilst attached to a safety chain,
students, with major expeditions in both holiday navigating the numerous small passages, abseiling
breaks to date. As part of the scheduled bushwalks into the darkness, and climbing caving ladders.
and expeditions, such as those including canyoning,
they will encounter rivers to cross or travel through.
