2001 School Magazine

80 : Imbil

Focus on the Outdoors

Brisbane Girls Grammar School Memorial Outdoor Education Centre Mission Statement The Centre 13 committed to provide a foaming environment in which students participoteininnovotiveoutdoor experiences in on atmosphere of supporc respect and care. These experiences nuturerhdependenCspirit filled empothencyoun9 women wiMng to work together to make positive contributions to their environment and communities

During 2001 the Centre staff have been working to document the essence of what we do. Our goals are listed clearly in the parent handbook for 2001 and we try very hard to achieve these goals with the students Our Mission Statement 15 a statement that borrows heavily from the school's overall Mission Statement, as the Centre is an integral part of the school community. The Memorial Outdoor Education Centre approaches the education of young women from a slightly different perspective to that found indoors and in an urban environment. Our Mission Statement reflects the unique ability of outdoor education to enable a student to develop individually and as a member of a team The Mission Statement helps us to focus our programme development on our core values. It is a collaborative document with Input from the school community. This Mission Statement provides focus for the future

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The Imbil Survivor Challenge

Year 8 students in 2001 answered the call to outp ay, outwit and outlast each other in the Imbil Survivor Challen e Our programme goal of helping the girls learn to work with others in a team environment was developed durin the Survivor activity. The teams prepared themselves for competition with tribal songs and dance. They marched as one down to the competition arena with high hopes and very high spirits. The competition involved some of the following activities creating bush stretchers to carry a victim to safety. sending each other through the difficult-to-pass "black hole:findin their way to hidden objects in the blind maze and problem-solving to find the balance of fire and water in the "fire fl " Water drums were filled despite the fact they leaked, fruit trees were identified and the Geeter boards required students to walk in unison on two long pieces of timber This activity was a great fun start to the Year 8 programme. Later in the week the girls were introduced to Beverl Hand Beverly is a local Gubbi Gubbi woman. The Gubbi Gubbi are the traditional owners of the land in which the Centre is located. Bevelly took the girls on a guided walk Introducing them to the plant and animal life from an indi enous perspective The girls discussed how humans relate to their land, the interconnectedness of nature and Issues relatin to aboriginal culture and affairs Beverly has a wealth of knowledge about the local flora and fauna and the human histor of the local area. The Irls w r able to taste a variety of native foods during their walks in the local rainforest. Bevelly shared some wonderful stories about her own family history, their experiences of life in the early parts of last century and how those experiences have heI ed shape the person that she 15 today. It was a privilege to learn more about the local indigenous culture. The understandin gained from these lessons broadened our perspective of the land and its people

development and growth of the Centre, its programmes and its relationship with the Brisbane Campus