For Prince Alfred College students, the annual outdoor activities program provides a unique and unforgettable learning and living experience. Students face challenges beyond those possible in a suburban day school, including taking responsibility for themselves, the community and the environment, while learning life skills and values including leadership, teamwork and tolerance.
The outdoor activities program takes place in the tranquil environment of Scotts Creek Outdoor Centre, an extended facility of the school located on a secluded branch of the River Murray, and at Victor Harbor and selected locations throughout South Australia, Australia and the world.
Outdoor Education & Young Students
Eagerly anticipated by the students in year 4 is the trip to the seaside town of Victor Harbor. During their time away students work in small groups to gain an understanding of coastal environments and basic ecological concepts, as well learning surf skills and beach safety.
The Scotts Creek Experience
Located 160km north east of Adelaide near the town of Morgan, the Scotts Creek Outdoor Centre was established in 1976 with the concept of providing students with a learning experience away from the main school. Situated on 100 hectares of Mallee scrub and enjoying frontage on a picturesque lagoon of the Murray River, Scott's Creek comprises three dormitory blocks accommodating up to 60 students, a dining hall, ablution block, staff building and teaching resource room.
Each year students from years 5 - 8 participate in programs at Scotts Creek as a part of their education at Prince Alfred College. Programs are developed in a sequential manner with particular emphasis on the balance between environmental education, personal development and adventure. Each program attempts to develop particular skills and includes a community service and cultural understanding component. Key aspects of the program include:
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Integration with and enrichment of classroom based activities.
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An opportunity to develop outdoor skills such as canoeing and lightweight minimal impact camping.
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A contrasting balance to the students normal pattern of urban living.
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Leadership training and practical experiences for students in Year 11.
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While each Scotts Creek program has specific learning outcomes, we aim to develop in all students:
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An increased understanding of basic ecological systems
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The ability to problem solve and make choices about lifestyles
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Social interaction in a residential environment which helps boys to develop tolerance and understanding
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Skills which will enable boys to go safely into outdoor environments with minimum impact and maximum satisfaction and appreciation
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Skills and ability to make informed decisions about sustainable environmental development
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Self confidence
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An awareness of their strengths and weaknesses
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The value of cooperation
Highly experienced and qualified staff provide a supportive environment in which students can feel comfortable and secure throughout their stay. Class teachers and house tutors from the Kent Town campus accompany their students on these programs and give special attention to the pastoral care and development of students.
The Curriculum
Year 5 Eco-Adventure (Cultural Perspective)
This program examines the basic ecological concepts of the mallee and river environments. Students will have the opportunities to explore the way the land and river was used by Aboriginal people before and after European settlement. Taking part in an Aboriginal journey and listening to local Aboriginal speaker, students will also have the opportunity to cook a traditional do some aboriginal art work. Students will also be introduced to swimming and River water safety. Canoeing and minimal impact camping will also be first introduced at the year 5 level.
Year 6 Eco-Adventure (Personal Perspective)
A major component of the Year 6 program is aquatic based with students learning the fundamental skills and safety procedures of canoeing and river rescue. Through students working in small activity groups, we aim to help our students develop an appreciation of ecology and ecological concepts, build better relationships with the natural world and make informed choices about their lifestyle.
Year 7 Eco-Adventure (Community Perspective)
In Year 7 students study the ecology of mallee and wetland environments, with the monitoring of the river system and seedling propagation and planting being a part of this program. Waterwatch and Bushcare are national programs undertaken by students and the results of their findings contribute to a national database to help in the improvement of water and bush quality. Year 7 students continue developing their skills in canoeing, navigation and campcraft.
Year 8 Outdoor Education (Adventure Perspective)
The major focus of the Year 8 Outdoor Education Program is to focus on the balance between environmental education, personal development and adventure. Boys take part in a 3-day expedition aimed at teaching them specific skills in canoeing, first aid, navigation, camp craft and safety. The aim of the expedition is to encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery allowing the boys to plan and prepare their own menus, campsite selection and route planning. Upon return to base camp boys then participate in two days of climbing on the adventure high ropes course, where boys use the skills and safety learnt during the week to help each other achieve personal and group goals.
Year 9 Outdoor Education (Extend Stay)
The Year 9 Extended Stay experience on theYorke Peninsula is an exciting initiative designed to meet the specific needs of adolescent boys. It is a key element of our Middle Years Program and provides a thrilling opportunity for learning for boys in Year 9. It will have long lasting impact on learning.
The central focus of this school is to develop boys into men of integrity who commit to excellence in their own lives and in their contribution to the world. We aim to develop the whole person, within and through community.
PAC will be the first school in South Australia to establish an Extended Stay Program. It is a sustained experiential learning program providing a rigorous academic curriculum and innumerable opportunities for personal development and authentic leadership.This program offers your son a unique adventure of learning and self discovery. We are delighted to provide him with this wonderful opportunity
For more information please go to the Extend Stay website found on the Prince Alfred College Intranet.
Challenges for Senior Students
Year 10 Outdoor Education (Peak Adventure)
A core component of the Year 10 outdoor education program is to extend students through a five-day expedition implementing skills and knowledge learned and acquired during previous camps at Scotts Creek.
Expedition activities provide challenges and opportunities for our students to take considerable responsibility for the planning and organisation of the venture, which take place at selected South Australian and interstate national parks:
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Bushwalking (Mt Remarkable National Park)
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Caving (Naracoorte Caves, South Australia)
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Cross Country Skiing (Bogong High Plains, Falls Creek)
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Downhill Skiing (Falls Creek, Victoria)
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Kayaking (Murray River, Morgan to Swan Reach)
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Kite Surfing (Far North Queensland)
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Rock Climbing (Mt. Arapiles, Grampians National Park Victoria)
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Scuba Diving (Edithburgh, South Australia)
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Scuba Diving (Cairns, Queensland)
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Surfing (Yorke Peninsula, South Australia)
- White Water Rafting (Mitta Mitta River, Victoria)
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White Water Rafting (Cairns, Queensland)
Year 11 Journey Program
Year 11 students are given the opportunity to participate in one of three outdoor experiences:
These experiences are designed to extend the students understanding of local, national and global perspectives of outdoor and environmental education and have a focus on community service.
Student Leadership at Scotts Creek
Students in Year 11 are given the opportunity to return to Scotts Creek to further their personal development through service as a leader of a small group of year 4,5,6,7 or 8 boys during their camp. The leadership program, which has successfully operated form many years, encourages boys to develop their own leadership styles.
Some Year 11 students care for mentally and physically handicapped children as part of their annual community service program, Princes Outreach.
Committed to the Future
Scotts Creek continues to develop its curriculum links with the main campus of the school and, through involvement with the Australian Camping Association, will see it gain accreditation as a best practice campsite. A primary aim at Scotts Creek is to develop alternative technologies that demonstrate environmentally friendly practices such as low energy consumption.
As a focus for the future, Scotts Creek is actively involved with Landcare programs within the Murray Darling Basin. An example of this is the Brenda Park/Scotts Creek Wetlands Project cooperative venture between Overland Vineyard (Brenda Park Station), Prince Alfred College and other community groups. The wetland adjoins Scotts Creek 5 km downstream from Morgan adjacent to the Murray River.
Funded by a grant from the National Heritage Trust the project aims to:
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Establish base line data
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Eradicate exotic plants and feral animals
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Revegetate the wetlands with indigenous species
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Reinstate a through flow of water to encourage native fish to breed
Students and staff are actively involved in all aspects of the project, providing a real experience highlighting human impact on the natural environment
The Prince Alfred College outdoor education program is a key component of meeting the School's vision statement:
To provide a superior education that prepares our students to be highly ethical global citizens who think creatively, reason critically, communicate effectively and learn enthusiastically throughout life.
Further Information
For more detail please contact:
The Director
Scotts Creek Outdoor Centre
Telephone 61 8 8540 2231
Email: enquiries@pac.edu.au
Website: www.pac.edu.au
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