In Outdoor Learning we have completed some great projects as well as built relationships.
We have learnt how to use hand and battery tools with the safety of everyone in mind. It has been great to be part of a team that is able to invest in the school, both with project work as well as emotional wellbeing.
One key learning for students has been that we are not a group that sits idle. We work hard. We work hard at improving our skills when working with tools, but even harder at improving and investing in our understanding of ourselves.
Our team are constantly looking at what to improve in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, as well as making wise decisions. Our focus plans incorporate these areas, these are discussed weekly but can be changed or amended every three weeks. This enables us to keep moving forward with our goals as well as acknowledge our strengths and growth.
One thing we have learnt in Outdoor Learning is that it takes time to change and improve our skills in self-awareness and how we relate to others. We have learnt that we will not always achieve our goals, and that is ok, as long as we are striving to do better.
We are about having a place of belonging and acceptance. Where we can strive to use our awareness to serve others, and encourage them to grow personally as well.
The biggest lesson we have learnt in life is that work is hard. Often people want to give up and walk away. We have moved several tons of soil, spent many hours building furniture for some of our classrooms and fitting out our home, the shipping container behind the PAC!
The key for us in Outdoor Learning is to have a place we belong in. A place where we can learn and practice our skills with self-management. We can have those discussions on how we improve ourselves and learn to serve others. Our team and staff have noted the development of maturity in the students we have been working with.
In Outdoor Learning yesterday, we started painting the container inside to freshen it up and make it feel more like our home. Whilst students worked, the conversations were amazing. We spoke of the skills we used with brushes and rollers being able to be used for work, or to renovate our own homes. Students connected the skills with real life situations, seeing the purpose of not only serving others, but learning new skills while we served.
In the future, as our team develops the skills and attitude of servanthood, we plan to take on more students. It is exciting to be part of this space.
I would like to thank our volunteer Peppi, who always helps out on Mondays, especially with the catering for lunches. She has been instrumental to the program’s success.
Ed Moroni — Head of Teaching & Learning Secondary