Stage 2 Students Flourish on the Fleurieau Peninsula - St Aloysius College
Source: https://www.sac.sa.edu.au/news/stage-2-students-flourish-on-the-fleurieau-peninsula
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:16
Stage 2 Students Flourish on the Fleurieau Peninsula - St Aloysius College
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07.06.24
Stage 2 Students Flourish on the Fleurieau Peninsula
Mercy Light: Learning
Outdoor Education, offered to students at Stage 1 and Stage 2 of their secondary studies, enables experiential learning about the natural world and how we interact with it. It enhances students’ understanding of conservation and sustainability and their personal and social growth.
Recently Stage 2 Outdoor Education students completed the first of two major expeditions, venturing to Ngarrindjeri country across the Southern Fleurieu for several days of camping and hiking in Deep Creek National Park. Just a few hours’ drive from SAC, the park offers spectacular views, from the far shores of Kangaroo Island to the craggy slopes of Deep Creek Valley.
The outdoors lend challenges and encounters that many young people do not have the opportunity to engage with, from seeing native wildlife up-close in their habitat, to developing knowledge of how to navigate remote areas, create basic shelters, or treat injuries. Reflecting on this expedition – one of the last she’ll partake in as a school student – Alicia Rudko said, “hiking long distances, camping in tents, preparing our meals and cooking for ourselves helps to build some resilience. I think it’s important to experience these kinds of challenges because it helps us to stay motivated, to appreciate what we have. After you’ve done a big hike, you feel like you’ve achieved something.”
Alicia’s peer, Isabelle Crotty, agrees. “Outdoor Education camps are different from camps we participate in during earlier years. Outdoor Ed camps require us to be more independent, and teachers encourage us to step outside our comfort zone. We sleep in tents that we set up and put down by ourselves, we create our own meal plans and we cook together.”
Outdoor Education teacher, Mr Michael Heath, has vast experience leading such expeditions, instructing students on the importance of understanding group dynamics and leaving minimal impact during their time in environments like Deep Creek.
Alicia says students are taught early on in Outdoor Education that it’s important to, “take only photographs and leave only footprints!”
The group trekked well over 30 kilometres during this recent trip.
“The walk was a brisk pace, including stretches of the famous Heysen Trail, with students enjoying the spacious plains and admiring nearby herds of cattle, chasing the last few hours of sunlight. Glowing sunsets are the reward at the end of these long days, and then it’s time to cook up a storm and debrief on our experiences,” recounts Mr Heath.
Evening debriefs take place around the ‘bush television’ – a campfire – giving staff valuable insights into the development of students and the progression of their learning.
Additionally, these talks help to strengthen group bonds and encourage broad discussion.
“I suggested that we share one sweet memory of the day, and one sour memory of the day,” Alicia explains, “it helps us to keep a balanced view, but most people never had a sour thing to share. That’s because we can focus on the sweet moments. I can remember one student sharing how much she appreciated having full use of her legs. This isn’t something we would usually say at school, or at the end of a normal day, but being outside and testing our limits helps us to practice gratitude.”
Gratitude doesn’t end when the expedition does; the journey back to Adelaide is a period of physical, mental and emotional transition. Although tuckered-out, it’s a time for students and staff to continue sharing memories of their time in nature’s classroom. Memories of achy limbs from long treks will indeed fade, but it’s these memories – those of simple moments of joy, humour and growth – that last.
Ms Maddie Kelly
Marketing & Communications Team
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Book a Tour
About
Welcome
Mercy Vision & Values
Why a Girls’ School?
History
City Location & Facilities
Strategic Plan
Masterplan
Reconciliation in Action
School Governance
Employment Opportunities
Child Safe Environments
Learning
Primary
Secondary
Student Opportunities
STEM
The Arts
Languages & Cultural Immersions
Student Leadership
Social Justice
Physical Education & Sport
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Clubs & Activities
Student Wellbeing
Careers Education
Enrolment
School Tours & Open Night
Our Enrolment Process
School Fees
International Students & Study Tours
国际生
Scholarships
School Services
OSHC
Uniform Shop
Canteen
Online Payments
ELC
Catherine McAuley Library
Community
Latest News
Newsletter
Calendar & Term Dates
SAC Playgroup
Old Scholars
Volunteers
Quick Links for Families
Contact Us
07.06.24
Stage 2 Students Flourish on the Fleurieau Peninsula
Mercy Light: Learning
Outdoor Education, offered to students at Stage 1 and Stage 2 of their secondary studies, enables experiential learning about the natural world and how we interact with it. It enhances students’ understanding of conservation and sustainability and their personal and social growth.
Recently Stage 2 Outdoor Education students completed the first of two major expeditions, venturing to Ngarrindjeri country across the Southern Fleurieu for several days of camping and hiking in Deep Creek National Park. Just a few hours’ drive from SAC, the park offers spectacular views, from the far shores of Kangaroo Island to the craggy slopes of Deep Creek Valley.
The outdoors lend challenges and encounters that many young people do not have the opportunity to engage with, from seeing native wildlife up-close in their habitat, to developing knowledge of how to navigate remote areas, create basic shelters, or treat injuries. Reflecting on this expedition – one of the last she’ll partake in as a school student – Alicia Rudko said, “hiking long distances, camping in tents, preparing our meals and cooking for ourselves helps to build some resilience. I think it’s important to experience these kinds of challenges because it helps us to stay motivated, to appreciate what we have. After you’ve done a big hike, you feel like you’ve achieved something.”
Alicia’s peer, Isabelle Crotty, agrees. “Outdoor Education camps are different from camps we participate in during earlier years. Outdoor Ed camps require us to be more independent, and teachers encourage us to step outside our comfort zone. We sleep in tents that we set up and put down by ourselves, we create our own meal plans and we cook together.”
Outdoor Education teacher, Mr Michael Heath, has vast experience leading such expeditions, instructing students on the importance of understanding group dynamics and leaving minimal impact during their time in environments like Deep Creek.
Alicia says students are taught early on in Outdoor Education that it’s important to, “take only photographs and leave only footprints!”
The group trekked well over 30 kilometres during this recent trip.
“The walk was a brisk pace, including stretches of the famous Heysen Trail, with students enjoying the spacious plains and admiring nearby herds of cattle, chasing the last few hours of sunlight. Glowing sunsets are the reward at the end of these long days, and then it’s time to cook up a storm and debrief on our experiences,” recounts Mr Heath.
Evening debriefs take place around the ‘bush television’ – a campfire – giving staff valuable insights into the development of students and the progression of their learning.
Additionally, these talks help to strengthen group bonds and encourage broad discussion.
“I suggested that we share one sweet memory of the day, and one sour memory of the day,” Alicia explains, “it helps us to keep a balanced view, but most people never had a sour thing to share. That’s because we can focus on the sweet moments. I can remember one student sharing how much she appreciated having full use of her legs. This isn’t something we would usually say at school, or at the end of a normal day, but being outside and testing our limits helps us to practice gratitude.”
Gratitude doesn’t end when the expedition does; the journey back to Adelaide is a period of physical, mental and emotional transition. Although tuckered-out, it’s a time for students and staff to continue sharing memories of their time in nature’s classroom. Memories of achy limbs from long treks will indeed fade, but it’s these memories – those of simple moments of joy, humour and growth – that last.
Ms Maddie Kelly
Marketing & Communications Team
Share
Previous
Something for Everyone at Careers Week Showcase
Next
Finding Freedom, Seeking Hope – Refugee Week 2024
STORYBOX ONLINE
PRIMARY EBOOKS
SECONDARY EBOOKS
GALE EBOOKS
GALE HIGH SCHOOL
GALE ONEFILE
GALE NEWS
INFOBASE ANCIENT HISTORY
INFOBASE MODERN HISTORY
BRITANNICA
INFORMIT
Request a Digital Prospectus