Outdoor Education at St Andrew’s Cathedral School is about the journey.
Whether in our national parks, on rivers, in the mountains, or along remote trails, students are immersed in environments that broaden their perspective and deepen their appreciation of the natural world. These experiences foster resilience, self-awareness, leadership, and character, equipping young people to thrive both in the outdoors and in life.
Our mission is: “To challenge and change lives while enjoying time in Creation.” In doing so, we support the school’s vision to inspire students to be passionate, creative learners who embrace the message of Christ and fully develop their abilities to serve others.
Our programme is one of the largest in NSW, starting with a day camp in Kindergarten and going building in challenge and intensity all the way through Year 10. These trips teach them that life, much like a journey, involves facing challenges. How we react to those challenges is what matters most. The journey-based approach also encourages students to live simply and work together as a community.
St Andrew’s has its own Outdoor Education department, dedicated to creating safe, engaging, and meaningful programs. Operating our own camps lets us inintentionally embed each experience to the school’s core values and Character Strengths, and fosters lasting and meaningful relationships between staff and students over the years. Each year group’s Outdoor Education experience is carefully designed to suit the stage of development of those students, helping them grow in different ways.
The primary aim of every camp is to help students develop a deeper understanding of their relationship with their Creator and to appreciate the beauty of nature. This is especially important for St Andrew’s students, who spend much of their time in the city. These camps give students a chance to explore remarkable environments, experience opportunities for self discovery and growth they didn’t expect, and discover their own leadership potential.
The School’s Outdoor Education programme is centred around Kirrikee, our dedicated campsite in the Southern Highlands. Many of our camps and experiences are based there, and it serves as a hub for programme delivery and equipment storage. Families are also invited to experience Kirrikee firsthand at the annual Family Day held each March.
Outdoor Education at St Andrew’s is designed to challenge students emotionally, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. It’s an integral part of the curriculum, and all students are expected to participate.
For more details about each year level’s Outdoor Education programs, check out our website. We’ll update links to specific camps as planning progresses.
For more about our Outdoor Education Programme and facilities:
– Junior School and Gawura School
Kindergarten has a day out at Centennial Park and the Wild Play garden.
Year 1 has a long day ‘camp’ at Oatley Park, and Year 2 spends a day at Bicentennial Park with a sleepover on the school roof and time the following day at the Botanical Gardens. For many Year 2 students the sleepover at the school may be their first night away from home.
From Year 3 the students attend camp at Kirrikee. Year 3 stay there for one night. Year 4, 5 and 6 stay for three days.
Information about Year 3 to 6 camps will be sent to parents well in advance to the camp to allow you time to prepare.
Our website outlines more about our Junior School programmes:
– Middle School
St Andrew’s Outdoor Education in the Middle School years builds on the sequential design of our programme and introduces wilderness journeys as a vehicle for achieving educational outcomes.
If you have any questions or concerns about the programs, please contact the Outdoor Education Department by email: outdooreducation@sacs.nsw.edu.au
Year 7 camp in Term 1 runs for 5 days and is based at Kirrikee, Bungonia National Park and the Penrose State Forest. Students build on their roping skills while abseiling at Bungonia (and also explore the cave environments there). They have overnight expeditions in Bungonia National Park and Penrose State Forest.
Information about the camp will be sent to parents closer to the date to allow you time to prepare.
Term 2, Year 8 attend a five-day hike and paddle based in Kangaroo Valley with one night spent at Kirrikee. While at Kirrikee students will engage with the High Ropes course and archery.
Information about the camp will be sent to parents closer to the date to allow you time to prepare.
In Term 3, St Andrew’s offer Year 9 students a choice of different style of camp – Backcounty Snow Camp, Murray River Canoe Camp and a High-Country Cycle Tour. Students will be able to select their preferences for which camp they would like to attend, and we will allocate the students based on these preferences. Students must attend one of these camps.
Information about the camps will be sent to parents closer to the date to allow you time to prepare.
More about our Middle School Outdoor Education programme:
– Senior College
St Andrew’s Cathedral School Year 10 Outdoor Education is the culmination of our extensive programme. It is sequenced so that students build on previously developed skills, as well as providing new and exciting experiences for students.
As the Year 10 programme is so individualised, each camp has it’s own information and is planned separately.
Camp choices will be communicated directly to parents.
All camps are filled on a first-in basis.
The Year 10 camp options for 2027 will be:
- Jagungal Hike
- Myall Lakes Sea Kayaking
- Shoalhaven Adventure
- Blue Mountains Canyoning
- Horse Trail Riding
- NZ Mountain Bike
- Central Australia Hike and Tour
- Kosi to Coast 20 Day Expedition
Click on each camp option above to watch a video with more details.
More about our Senior College Outdoor Education programme: