Into The Wild

Head of Outdoor Education at the Australian International School (AIS), CAMERON BARRY, says it’s more important than ever to provide students with positive and enriching experiences in nature. We asked him about the trips on offer at the school, and a new outdoor education programme that’s kicking off next year.

What does AIS hope to offer students through this new programme?

We see the tremendous educational, social, physical and emotional value of reconnecting our students with the outdoor environment through a carefully structured, progressive outdoor education programme. Spending time in the outdoors is without doubt a means to improving every child’s wellbeing, sense of worth and confidence. The outdoors is a wonderful level playing field, which gives every child the opportunity to be themselves, develop stronger social relationships, strengthen bonds with teachers, and more importantly gain a better understanding of themselves. Children grow through reflection and positive experiences, and we try to provide these experiences through the programme.

Students will be organised into mixed groups that are different to their normal class groups. Being away from the daily routine of school and the constant influences of technology, children can really be themselves and let their true character shine through, helping them to make genuine relationships. Many of our teachers believe that you can learn more about a student in five days on an outdoor education programme than you can in a whole school year through just observing them in a classroom!

Tell us about a recent school trip and what the students got up to.