Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2022

In Their Words The magic of connection through experience

Ms Kim Wood Director of Outdoor Education

The magic of Marrapatta is made up of the little things: all the ‘lightbulb moments’. It might be that they achieve something they thought wasn’t possible—a task as simple as learning to tie a canoe onto a trailer—or it could be the awe of seeing a shooting star for the first time. Marrapatta is a place that not only fosters deep learning and growth, but human connection through shared experiences.

When students visit Marrapatta, they have the chance to really challenge themselves, to develop confidence in their own capacity, and to sit with the discomfort of new things that they initially don’t think they are capable of achieving For some, they have never been away from their family before, or cooked a meal like spaghetti bolognaise, or experienced that everything they need to sustain themselves, to survive, is in their backpack Outdoor Education is about building relationships with ourselves, others and our environment—skills that are transferable to life beyond school To teach a student to paddle a canoe is never the goal, it’s the vehicle through which we create conversation, through which students develop confidence in their capacity to achieve and grow The two people in the canoe must communicate and work as a team in order to navigate their way across the water—not only in the physical sense but in a social and emotional capacity I love seeing those moments where everything just ‘clicks’ for a student, they realise the importance of community, and how they can contribute more broadly to their world It’s what brings me the most joy at Marrapatta, and that’s when I feel like the magic happens ■

I fell in love with the outdoors from a young age, and I was always a free range type of child Growing up in the southern suburbs of Adelaide with my three brothers, I was fortunate to have nature at my doorstep, which spelled adventure—from swimming in the creeks to riding our bikes through the forest—the outdoors is where my love of learning developed. I was infinitely curious from the moment I realised the world was such a big place, and that it was waiting for me to explore, and it made me want to deepen my understanding of people too I learned in life that what really fills my heart is when I see people growing and changing and believing in themselves—I really enjoy supporting people in their personal and social growth—and I am fortunate to have that in my role as Director of Outdoor Education at our Marrapatta campus

Initially, I worked at Brisbane Girls Grammar School from 2012 to 2016 as an Outdoor Education Teacher I thought the more experience I had in caring for people, the better, especially when taking students into the wilderness, so I did many extended first aid course, which led to further study I then had a career change and worked as a Paramedic for the Queensland Ambulance Service for four years It was a challenging role, as many emergency services workers would know, and I really missed the positivity of education, and thus, I was drawn back to our BGGS community Our girls will be leaders of the next generation, so to help them grow and create change in the lives of others is such a wonderful investment Returning to the School this year as Director of Outdoor Education, I oversee the 200 acres of our Marrapatta campus and have the opportunity to develop a vision for the future— adjusting and adapting our program so that students have positive experiences in the outdoors and with each other I work with my local team, the staff at Spring Hill, and parents to ensure that every student has positive outdoor learning experiences at Marrapatta as part of her Grammar education

above Ms Kim Wood left Ms Kim Wood with students at Marrapatta

Gazette

Brisbane Girls Grammar School

24

Issue 2, 2022