Experiences

Learning doesn’t just take place inside a classroom. In order to grow the mind and body, students need to engage in a range of co-curricular activities that help their personal development and growth.

Physical Education

Kids need to move!

Our integrated Physical Education Program aims to build life-long knowledge, skills and strategies so students are confident and happy engaging in sport and physical activity. Students participate in Physical Education each week for 60 minutes with their class and our specialist Physical Education Teacher. Prep and Junior Primary students engage in a variety of fundamental motor skill activities and minor games, Middle Primary Students students are introduced to game sense and the Senior Primary focus on leadership in sport and participate in weekly Inter School Sport competitions.

Outdoor Education

Experiencing the great outdoors is important to gain an:

• Understanding of self
• Understanding of others
• Understanding of the world around us

The Billanook Primary Outdoor Education program offers a sequential development of both knowledge and skills in a range of activities. Primary students have the opportunity to develop an appreciation of, and care for the environment, and to learn skills and judgement necessary for safe personal recreation. While the emphasis is on having a positive experience outside the School grounds and forming positive relationships with peers and Staff, many new skills will be experienced that are essential at more senior levels of the College. Of course having lots of FUN is crucial to the success of the program!

Prep and Junior Primary (Prep-Year 2)

Beginning their Outdoor Education and Camp experiences at Billanook , Prep and Junior Primary students participate in outdoor exploration around our tranquil bush setting. Prep students have opportunities to explore their natural world by undertaking bush walks and adventure activities during School time. Our Junior Primary Students participate in specifically designed Outdoor Education activities during an afternoon and early evening event, and our Year 2 students experience a sleep over in their classroom.

Middle Primary (Years 3 and 4)

Students spend two nights away from home in an environment which aims to give children the opportunity to:

• live as a small community, sharing interests and responsibilities
• experience sleeping in shared accommodation
• develop self-discipline, self-reliance and self-management skills
• work cohesively in a group carrying out duties and solving challenges
• align and understand their camp experiences with classroom learning
• show initiative and leadership in response to a particular situation
• provide for the development of self-confidence and self-esteem
• plan, organise and equip themselves for an outdoor excursion, showing an awareness of safety issues.
• Middle Primary camp take place each year with students attending a different location on a two-year rotation: Phillip Island or Gundawindi.

Senior Primary (Years 5 and 6)

During the Senior Primary Years, students participate in an annual camp, attending a different location on a two-year rotation: Melbourne City Urban Camp or Canberra. These camps directly link into our Wellbeing Program and curriculum objectives.

The experience will provide opportunities to:

• sleep in student shared accommodation
• develop self-discipline, self-reliance and self-management skills
• work cohesively in a group carrying out duties and solving challenges
• show initiative and leadership in response to a particular situation.
• develop self-confidence and self-esteem
• help the students to plan, organise and equip themselves for an excursion, showing an awareness of safety issues
• help the students to take responsibility for themselves and their belongings