Objects of Substance- The Climbing Wall

What did this activity achieve? Was it an important addition to the physical, mental, and social learnings of the Grammar girl? In Barry Greatorex’s view, “…the wall gave them an opportunity to succeed in a physical and mental activity and to overcome some of their fears. For me it was one of the most rewarding experiences seeing these girls excel.” Lucy Stirling views climbing similarly. “Climbing is about having fun, but also accepting self-doubt, accepting our fears, pushing past them, and trusting ourselves and reaching our goals. Problem solving is a huge factor in climbing and learning how to visualise and trust your body, learning that each failure teaches us something more. I believe these attributes are important in any young person's development.”

2017 Lucy Stirling (2010) competing at the Oceania Sporting Climbing Championship

Climbing and associated skills were not new to Girls Grammar. Extension Education Activities (EEA) offered abseiling within the curriculum. Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and Marrapatta experiences also presented opportunities to climb. However, the climbing wall offered more with its inclusion in the Health and Physical Education curriculum for both Year 8s in their Creative Movement unit with bouldering in the late 1990s and 2000s, and in the elective units for Year 11 Core Physical Education. It took girls out of their comfort zone and introduced them to a completely different recreative and competitive activity: an activity which is now an Olympic sport!

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