Lauren Ferrone

It happens in a moment. A student halfway up a rock face pauses, frozen by fear and doubt. Below, an instructor calmly encourages: “Take a breath, look around, and take the next step.” The student exhales, refocuses, and reaches the top—exhausted, but transformed. These quiet turning points—part challenge, part breakthrough—are common in outdoor education. And for students in the middle years of schooling, they’re more than just powerful memories. They’re moments of growth.

At the School of the Nativity, the strength of our community lies in crafting learning opportunities throughout the year that truly connect our families. From playgroup to whole-school celebrations that honour shared experience, it’s about dedicating time to think outside the box and find what brings people together.

Tucked away in a thriving corner of our campus, something remarkable is growing—fresh produce, curious minds, and a deep respect for the Earth.

Students who are empowered to lead, grow, and explore are not only more engaged in learning but develop into confident, independent learners who are ready to make meaningful contributions to the world.

There’s a kind of learning that can’t be replicated inside four walls. You see it when a child pauses to pocket a rock, float leaves in a puddle, or follow the path of a butterfly. These moments aren’t diversions from learning. They’re learning at its most authentic. For children in their foundational years—from infancy to primary—outdoor learning and play isn’t just valuable; it’s essential.