OUTDOOR EDUCATION
The Hamilton and Alexandra College is a co-educational day and boarding school located in Hamilton, Victoria, Australia. We are extremely proud of our strong history and traditional values and equally proud of our outstanding facilities and innovative educational programs.
OUR OUTDOOR EDUCATION EXPERIENCES
Our students learn invaluable life skills through participating in age-appropriate outdoor education experiences throughout their time at the College.
ELECTIVE PROGRAM
Based in various natural environments around Victoria (trips range from a half-day to overnight) for students in Years 9 and 10.
YEAR LEVEL CAMPS
Years 1 to 5
From 1-night camps for students in Year 1 building to 3-day outdoor education camping programs for Year 5 students.
Year 5: 7-9 March
Cape Bridgewater (Coastal Environment) - introduction to outdoor activities, staying in hard top accommodation.
Year 6: 17-19 April
Grampians or Arapiles National Park (Mountains Environment) - encouraging team work through abseiling, climbing, bush walking and mountain biking, staying in tent accommodation.
Year 7: 30 October - 2 November
Glenelg National Park (River Environment) - a three day canoeing journey, staying in tent accommodation.
Year 8: 12-16 November
Otways National Park (Coastal/Rainforest Environment) - Expedition-based 5-day hiking journey, also including mountain biking and canoeing. Staying in tent and bivvie accommodation.
Year 9: 15-19 October
Strathbogie Ranges/Charnwood (Alpine Environment) - Journey based expedition, including mountain biking, abseiling, rock climbing and hiking.Staying in tent and bivvie accommodation.
Year 10: 8-19 June
Central Australia (Desert Environment) - 11-day journey to the middle of Australia. Adventure activities will include hiking in the Flinders Rangers National Park and mountain biking along the Oodnadatta Track. Students will learn about the history of these areas, including our indigenous culture, the old Ghan railway line and also see how a cattle station operates. Students will experience swag accommodation and participate in a 12 hour solo experience under the stars in a spectacular location.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD
Overview
This elective program operates worldwide for students between the ages of 14 and 25, starting at Bronze level through to Silver and Gold levels.
Purpose
It aims to develop the qualities of self-reliance, initiative and social awareness through participation in a non-competitive program of voluntary activities involving community service, physical recreation, skill development and expeditions.
Activities
Past College students have met the requirements of the program by working in libraries, hospitals and schools (Service) and by arranging expeditions featuring bushwalking, horse riding and canoeing (Expedition).
COMPASS AWARD
The College is registered to host Award Victoria's, Compass Award.
The Compass Award is promoted as 'a program of discovery for young people 10-14 years' and is geared to the development of the individual child. In structure, the award is similar to The Duke of Edinburgh Award. The program is voluntary, non-competitive and aimed at the individual's interests and abilities under the banner of 'Physical activity, exploration, hobbies and volunteering. Individual students must negotiate their own program with a coordinator.
Through completing the award participants should develop self- esteem, confidence, an awareness of the community and a desire to help others. In addition they should develop a feeling of ownership and 'engagement' in their formal and informal education.