Experiential Learning Program
Nothing beats real life experience, which is why Haileybury Rendall School’s Experiential Learning Program offers a range of exhilarating and challenging adventures.
Students visit amazing locations including Litchfield National Park (Year 7), Douglas Station (Year 8), Jindare Station and Umbrawarra Gorge (Year 9) and Lake Argyle (Year 10).
Activities are integrated into School life through academic and pastoral streams, allowing students to share cross-cultural experiences and physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual challenges.
The compulsory program sees experiences become progressively more remote and challenging.
It begins in Year 2 with a camp on School grounds. Activities gradually become longer and more adventurous until the Year 10 self-led sea kayak journey in the remote East Kimberly region.
Challenging activities seek to create independent, capable and environmentally aware young adults who can work as a group to overcome physical and mental challenges in remote environments.
Year 7: Litchfield National Park
Year 7 students complete a first four-day Litchfield National Park program, where they discover hidden off-track secrets and swim in secluded water holes most people never see.
The students use water-testing skill they learn in Science classes to test is local creek water is suitable for drinking. They also trek, snorkel in Florence Falls, build rafts and slackline in Shady Creek.
The program aims to develop self-management skills, initiative and leadership while moving away from supported programs and into self-reliant expeditions. All students behaved impeccably.
Year 8: Douglas Station
The five-day Douglas Station Program sees Year 8 students hike more than 10 km while carrying a backpack with everything their group needed to survive outdoors.
Douglas Station allows Haileybury to use private land around Depot Creek and Butterfly Gorge for the journey-based expedition, which is more remote and challenging than the Year 7 program.
Students cook by camp fire and camp stoves, navigate off-track bushwalk sections, explore gorges and mountain biked more than 20 km.
The aim is to hone life and leadership skills while building empathy and environmental understanding.
Year 9: Jindare Station and Umbrawarra Gorge
Jindare Station is a private cattle station near Umbrawarra Gorge that is of great significance to the local Wagiman people.
Our Year 9 students have the privilege of mountain biking, bush walking, rock climbing and abseiling in this unique natural environment.
The five-day program focusses on extending comfort zones, group success and understanding sustainability.
The many challenges include digging a pit latrine and carrying supplies and all rubbish items.
Solo time enables students to reflect on the experience in terms of themselves, others and the environment.
Year 10: Lake Argyle
Year 10 students spend eight days at Lake Argyle in WA’s East Kimberly region.
After an epic bus trip, small groups use kayaks or canoes to explore the incredibly remote and spectacularly beautiful Lake Argyle.
Students spend six days on the water with all their equipment, changing campsites each day as they explore Australia’s second largest dam.
Activities include fishing, rock jumping and viewing inspirational sunsets.
As a result, students return feeling that they could look after themselves and their group peers in a harsh and remote environment.