2023 School Magazine

OUTDOOR EDUCATION

MARRAPATTA SENIORS The Outdoor Education Program at Brisbane Girls Grammar School allows students from Years 7, 8, and 9 to explore the outdoors and venture out of their comfort zones. The change of scenery forms an everyday classroom, encouraging students to pause and reflect on themselves, others, and the environment, all while fostering a sense of community and fun for the week. Year 10 students have the opportunity to return to Marrapatta with a Year 7 class for the last time as a Marrapatta senior. We were able to act as their ‘big sisters’ answering their questions, giving them tips, and talking about our previous experiences. Being a Marrapatta senior was an incredible opportunity to bond with many Year 7 students, gain leadership experience and take time to embrace the outdoors. We ran a Care for Country activity with the class, which encouraged them to consider how they work in teams, and the environment around them. We will greatly miss coming to Marrapatta and are excited to see what the Outdoor Education Program has to offer in years to come! Emily Fletcher (10 M), Madeleine Skarott (10 L), Olivia Knauer (10 M), and Pia Hatzipetrou (10 M)

Being able to return to Marrapatta this year as a Marrapatta senior was a rewarding experience and one that I will cherish. I have extremely enjoyed Marrapatta across the past three years, making unforgettable memories and developing deeper connections with my peers. Being able to mentor the Year 7s by helping them to overcome challenges and achieve their goals ensured that they can now continue to look forward to their Outdoor Education experiences in the future. As a senior, it was a rewarding experience to observe how the younger girls developed to overcome their fears. My highlight from the Year 7 Thrive program was the raft building activity, where groups worked together to design functional rafts that were then tested in the creek. While some groups had rafts that were more buoyant and stayed together more effectively than others, the perseverance and encouragement from the whole class created a positive and inclusive atmosphere that ensured that everyone had an enjoyable time! Sophie Hunt (10O)

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