Outdoor Education
Challenge, adventure and leadership in action
As students move into secondary school, Outdoor Education becomes even more immersive, adventurous and empowering. Across Years 7 to 9, our students are challenged to step further into the wild, building life skills and confidence through real-world adventures in breathtaking locations across NSW.
Year 7: strengthening connections
In Year 7, students kick off high school with a three-day camp at Tallong Campus. It’s a time to form strong friendships and bonds within their new cohort. Students tackle high ropes courses, low ropes challenges, canoeing and navigation activities, capped off with a memorable overnight expedition. The experience culminates in an Adventure Race where students as a cohort take on challenges around the campus.
Key activities:
- Canoeing and mountain biking
- Overnight expedition and campfire cooking
- High ropes and team challenges
- Leadership-building within new peer groups
Year 8: Indigenous cultural experience
Year 8 takes students beyond Tallong to explore new Indigenous cultural learnings in the Hawkesbury region. Over four days, they walk the land and learn about the geographical significance and history of the Deerubbin area, guided by Red Earth. They learn about Aboriginal ways of life as they are embraced in the culture with local elders and educators.
Key activities:
- Indigenous cultural education in the Hawkesbury area
- Fishing and clap-stick making with local Indigenous communities and facilitators
- Participation in culturally significant ceremonies including Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies.
Year 9: the big expedition
Year 9 is the culmination of years of outdoor learning, a four-day expedition through Myall Lakes National Park. Students put all their skills into practice during this powerful journey, paddling, hiking and camping in pristine wilderness. This experience builds leadership, deep reflection and an unshakeable sense of resilience.
Key activities:
- Multi-day canoe journey and stand-up paddleboarding
- Wilderness navigation and Leave No Trace principles
- Solo reflection time and personal growth
- Interpersonal skill-building and wellbeing strategies.
These formative years are about discovering inner strength, deepening bonds with nature and peers, and learning what it truly means to lead, with courage, compassion and curiosity. Each camp helps students stretch their comfort zones and return with stories of challenge, accomplishment and growth that last a lifetime.
Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award
Each year, more than 80 Santa Sabina students complete either Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. The Award focuses on Skill, Physical Recreation, Community Service and Adventurous Journey. Our Adventurous Journey students explore Sholahaven Gorge, the Brisbane Waters and other regional NSW areas by kayak, bike and hiking.
