News from the Field Studies Centre
Our Place Based Education approach ensures that the Year 9 boys have an opportunity to learn about and experience much of what the Shoalhaven area has to offer during their Field Studies term. The boys engage in a range of service activities both on and off campus which provide an opportunity to give something back to the community while they are on the FSP. Under the guidance of our property Manager, Mr Lloyd, the boys completed a range of tasks around the Woollamia campus this week that not only improved the natural environment, but also benefited their peers. From tidying up campsites, to stacking firewood and removing weeds, the boys served selflessly to make the FSC a better place for all users. When on expedition, the groups practice “Leave No Trace” principles and aim to leave the locations that they visit in a better state than what they found them. Beach clean-up sessions are also planned for the end of each term and provide a further opportunity to serve the community and make a positive impact.
Outdoor Education extension activities are facilitated on Wednesday afternoons each week and provide the boys with an opportunity to select an activity that they can further develop during their time at Woollamia. The mountain biking group have picked up where the students from Term 2 left off, making some further improvements to the bike trail on site. Their hard work paid off as they became the first group to ride the new and improved trail elements later that afternoon. The other groups spent the afternoon focussed on their chosen activity which included archery, rock climbing and fishing.
The focus of the Pastoral Care sessions this week have been goal setting and reviewing each students Character Strengths. The boys all receive a challenge board on which they list a range of goals and challenges that they would like to break through while on the FSP. Goals are given power when they are written down and are made known to others. The boys keep these boards in view in their dorms throughout the term and can add to them as they see fit. The challenge boards are brought along on the final fireside debrief and form a focus for each boy’s reflection on their Field Studies experience.
This week we announced the third group of Field Studies Student Leaders at the Woollamia Campus. Each of the four pastoral groups worked with their tutors to nominate two representatives to take on this formal leadership role for the term. I am pleased to announce that the FSP student leaders for Term 3 2022 are:
- Cambewarra: Harry Pliatsikas and Oliver Iwanicki
- Booderee: Josh Hauschild and Isaac Latt
- Cullunghutti: Ewan Fouracre and Myles Buvac
- Bundarwa: Andrew Worsfold and Lachlan Rathbone
Tim Knowles | Head of the Field Studies Centre (FSC)
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:114
