Outdoor and Environmental Education provides students with skills and knowledge to understand the role of the environment in mental health and physical wellbeing. It provides skills allowing students to safely and respectfully participate in physical activity in diverse outdoor environments.

It allows students to understand the concept of discriminating between risk and challenge and to develop social and leadership skills. Students develop insights into environmental sustainability, particularly in local contexts. This course prepares students for lifelong physical and recreational activity as well as employment pathways.

Students develop skills to improve their own and others’ health, well-being and physical activity opportunities. Students develop analytical and critical thinking skills and learn to question and challenge assumptions about the environment and physical activity in the outdoors. They develop skills to communicate effectively and present logical and coherent arguments. Such knowledge has the potential for students to enhance their own and others’ health and well-being in varied and changing contexts.

The study of Outdoor and Environmental Education provides pathways to further study in both tertiary and vocational areas as well as providing foundations for life-long enjoyment of the outdoors and respect for the environment.

The Outdoor and Environmental Education course is written under The HEALTH, OUTDOOR AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION FRAMEWORK 2019: BSSS HEALTH, OUTDOOR AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION Framework

Achievement Standards for HEALTH, OUTDOOR AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION courses can be found within the Framework.

Health, Outdoor and Physical Education are the study of biological, physiological, psychological, social and cultural influences on performance and participation in physical activity. Students develop knowledge, understanding and skills, including health literacy competencies, to support them to be resilient, to strengthen their sense of self, to build and maintain satisfying relationships, and to make decisions to enhance their health and physical participation.

Discover Outdoor Environments

Students explore the environment and its features through participating in outdoor activities in the natural environment. Students learn about the role of the environment in promoting mental health and physical well-being. They work with others to respectfully and safely participate in activities in diverse outdoor environments, building knowledge, skills, self-efficacy and appreciation of natural places.

Planning and Management

Students are involved in planning for participation in an expedition or an activity. Students learn to plan all aspects required for participation in an expedition or one or more activities. Students will also evaluate the risks involved in the activity/ies and learn to develop risk management and emergency response plans (such as completing a first aid course) appropriate to the activity.

Responsibility of Self and Others

Students explore the relationships between people and the environment, teamwork, leadership and individual learning characteristics. These are explored through a variety of outdoor activities, and the choice of appropriate methods applied to individual activities.

Sustainable Outdoor Recreation

Students learn about the sustainable use of wilderness environments and the importance of healthy outdoor environments. Students develop their philosophy on adventure, connection to wilderness environments and the use of technology in outdoor recreation and various outdoor settings.

Independent Study

An Independent Study unit has an important place in senior secondary courses. It is a valuable pedagogical approach that empowers students to make decisions about their own learning. An Independent Study unit can be proposed by an individual student for their own independent study and negotiated with their teacher. The program of learning for an Independent Study unit must meet the unit goals and content descriptions as they appear in the course. Students must have studied at least THREE standard 1.0 units from this course. A student can only study a maximum of one Independent study unit in each course. An Independent Study unit requires the principal’s written approval. Independent study units are only available to individual students in Year 12. Principal approval is also required for a student in Year 12 to enrol concurrently in an Independent unit and the third 1.0 unit in a course of study.

Updated Course from 2024

Outdoor and Environmental Education A/T/M  (697 KB)

Outdoor and Environmental Education  (294 KB)