Belonging Beyond Boundaries: A Journey Through Our Residential Program
Details:
4:35 – 5:25 pm
5th of December
Room: 2E-201
Nick Wilkesmann, Tyla Riley & Jared Crunkhorn
In late 2020, Pymble Ladies’ College took a bold step forward by acquiring the picturesque Vision Valley Campus; 100 acres of bushland in Arcadia. This acquisition marked the inception of a transformative chapter for the College, laying the groundwork for a unique 4-week Residential Program aimed at fostering deeper connections to self, others, and the natural world for our Year 9 girls.
Central to the success of this initiative is a longitudinal research study, initially conducted in collaboration with Western Sydney University, which has consistently indicated significant positive impacts on students’ sense of belonging. This research underscores the program’s efficacy in nurturing a strong sense of identity, community engagement, and overall well-being among participants.
Over the course of ten successful Residential Programs, including four coeducational collaborations, most recently with the Anglican Church Grammar School, our students have embarked on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Through immersive outdoor activities, reflective exercises, and collaborative projects, our students have forged enduring bonds with their peers and developed a profound appreciation for the natural environment.
As we reflect on our journey at Vision Valley, join us as we highlight key aspects of the program that amplify a sense of belonging, identify significant rites of passage, and unpack our successes (and failures) as highlighted in our research findings.
About the Presenter
Nick Wilkesmann has been an Outdoor Education Professional for almost 20 years in organisations all over Australia. For the past four years he has worked as Head of Outdoor Education at Pymble Ladies’ College in Sydney. During this time Nick has worked on developing a new K-12 Outdoor Education Continuum and Year 9 Residential Program.
Jared has experience leading school based Outdoor Education programs domestically and internationally. Jared has completed a Masters in Education Leadership and Management, as well as a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning majoring in Outdoor Education, with Business Studies as a minor teaching area. He has taught at a number of South-East Queensland Schools, where he has developed and delivered contemporary Outdoor Education programs with strong curriculum links. Jared’s teaching philosophy centres around delivering evidence-based student focused Outdoor Education programs, supporting and encouraging students to extend themselves by exploring and embracing the unfamiliar and developing enduring life and leadership skills. He is currently a committee member of Outdoor Educators Association of Queensland (OEAQ) and is passionate about lifelong learning and mentoring others. At Churchie, he continually strives for excellence and innovation, and a recent collaboration has included the Vision Valley Year 9 Residential Program, enabling a unique co-educational opportunity.
Tyla Riley grew up on a dairy farm in South Gippsland, she is a passionate outdoor educator who received her Bachelors in Outdoor Education from Victoria University. For the past four years Tyla has worked at Pymble Ladies’ College shaping an engaging and dynamic outdoor education program that helps students build resilience and outdoor skills.
