News - Greater Shepparton Secondary College

Details: Published: 27 November 2024

During our whole school Term 4 assembly this week, we had a number of students share their experiences in Outdoor Education this year.

Year 10 student Letiya, provided an update about some of the amazing opportunities she and her peers have had this year to step outside of the classroom and into nature. This has included surfing, rock climbing at Mt Arapiles, hiking through rugged trails around Mt Sumaria, and even braving downhill skiing, mountain biking, canoeing, and white-water rafting. Each camp was a new adventure and pushed students to face new challenges.

Letiya said one of the biggest things students learnt was how to work as a team.

“Out in the environment, you really need each other. Whether we were spotting each other while rock climbing or paddling together in a canoe, teamwork has been essential,” she said.

“We had to communicate well, rely on each other's strengths, and support each other, especially when things got tough, or the weather didn’t go our way. Working together in these real situations has given us experiences that go beyond what we learn in class.”

Year 9 students Cruz and Brendan spoke about how Outdoor Ed has taught them about the power of collaboration and problem-solving.

“Sometimes things didn’t go as planned. We faced problems like figuring out how to stay warm when camping in the mountains, navigating trails when we weren't sure which way to go, or figuring out how to paddle against a strong river current,” he said.

“We had to come up with creative solutions on the spot and work together to make decisions.”

Cruz added that these experiences taught students how to trust each other, listen to everyone’s ideas, and look for ways to solve problems without giving up.

“Learning to solve problems outdoors has helped us build resilience, and it’s made us more confident. Plus, it was really rewarding to see our teamwork pay off, whether we reached the top of a mountain or safely navigated through rapids,” he said.

“We’ve also built strong connections with each other and deepened our understanding of the different natural environments around Victoria. Each place taught us something new, and we’ve gained a lot of respect for the environments we visited.”

Year 11 student Abbey Bennett reflected on the skills students learned.

“Skills like leadership, responsibility, patience, and resilience are things that will help us, not just in school but in life,” she said.

“Working as a team has shown us how to communicate better and respect each other’s ideas, which will be important in any career or community we’re part of.

“Outdoor Education has taught us how to connect with each other and with nature, reminding us of the importance of preserving these beautiful environments. The friendships and memories we’ve made are things we’ll never forget. Thank you to all the teachers and staff who made these experiences possible. We’re grateful for the adventures, the challenges, and the life lessons we’ve learned along the way. We can’t wait to see what future Outdoor Ed students will experience and discover.”

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Details: Published: 26 November 2024

Recently, three groups of Year 10 students from the subject 'So You Think You Want a Job' had the exciting opportunity to tour both the GOTAFE campus and the new Latrobe Shepparton campus facilities. These students were among the first groups to explore the new state-of-the-art resources and study areas at Latrobe, offering them a unique insight into their future study possibilities.

At GOTAFE, the tour proved especially valuable for students planning to pursue a Vocational Education and Training (VET) subject in their senior years. The visit allowed students to explore the learning environments they will experience next year, while also meeting trainers and gaining a better understanding of their studies.

The Latrobe campus tour provided a broader view of post-secondary pathways. Students learned about opportunities beyond VCE, including study options for those looking to return to education later in life. One of the highlights was the innovative use of technology, especially in health-related study areas, which captivated students considering these career paths.

As close partners of GSSC, both Latrobe and GOTAFE will continue to be an integral part of the school community. They will be available at GSSC every fortnight on Thursday lunchtimes in 2025, further enhancing students’ access to educational and career pathways. We would like to extend our thanks to Latrobe and GOTAFE for their ongoing support of our students and the school community.

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