Outdoor Education report with WSU
A partnership in research between Pymble Ladies’ College and Western Sydney University has resulted in exciting new research into girls’ experiences in outdoor education. The final report, Assessing the Impact of the Vision Valley Outdoor Education: Pilot Initiative at Pymble Ladies’ College, is a comprehensive review of the pioneering residential program which took place for the first time in 2022 for Year 9 students in our new bushland campus, Vision Valley. The program has continued in 2023, already taking into account the evolving feedback from both this research and other parent, student and staff feedback. Vanessa Petersen, Deputy Head of Campus – Vision Valley and Pymble Institute Director, Dr Sarah Loch, are looking forward to working with the Upper School (Year 9 and 10) team to help utilise the findings to further develop the residential, outdoor education program.
Is this research relevant for outdoor education in your school? Find out more about the report through discussion with Pymble staff. Contact pymbleinstitute@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Key Findings
Participating in the program clearly had a profound impact on students in several key areas. Firstly, their sense of belonging significantly improved as they engaged in activities and actively participated in the program. Making friends from different friendship groups and building social capacity played a crucial role in this development.
Secondly, students displayed increased bravery, demonstrating a willingness to take risks and face their fears. They embraced the unknown, embarked on new experiences, and exhibited courage throughout the program.
Thirdly, the outdoor education experience fostered personal growth in students. Notably, their resilience showed the most significant growth, alongside the development of leadership skills, adaptability, tolerance, self-confidence, and self-reliance.
Correspondingly, the program was instrumental in enhancing students’ gratitude and appreciation for their privileges, such as their family, home, and the natural world. They recognised and valued these privileges upon returning from the experience.
Lastly, the theme of transitions emerged, encompassing both positive and negative experiences for the students.
Taken as a whole, the program fostered a sense of belonging, bravery, personal growth, gratitude, and successful transitions for the students.
Professor Tonia Gray, PhD student Helen Cooper, and Vanessa Petersen will be presenting the findings of the report in Tokyo in 2024 at the International Outdoor Education Conference.
Many thanks to Professor Tonia Gray, Associate Professor Jacqueline Ullman and Dr Christina Curry from the School of Education at Western Sydney University, as well as in-the-field research assistant, Helen Cooper, and designer YY for their partnership.
