1. Uplands College Journey 2014

2. Outdoor Education and a Journey

3. Why a Journey? Rite of passage Learning Leadership Context

4. Rite of passage Removal from familiar people, devices, comforts, patterns Wilderness physical challenge: hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, abseiling, camping, cooking, unpredictable elements Internal landscape mental curriculum: social dynamics, response to adversity, leading, feedback, post from home, writing, reflecting, reassessing roles and habits, the Solo Celebrated return accomplishment, ritual, closing activities, punctuated advancement, altered responsibility, parents’ Journey Victor Fong / Kambani Romano / Maxine

5. When am I an adult?

10. Learning leadership skills Planning Decision-making and consequences Resolving conflict Identifying personal strengths / weaknesses Resilience, optimism, altruism Identifying competencies Map reading, cooking, bicycle repairs Delegating Motivating – humour, goals, support Salmon Nortje / Julian Brown

11. Redefining a leader Personality Enabler Popularity Competence Attractiveness COOLNESS Consistency Empathy Integrity Humour / optimism Effort EQ skills / dexterity Openness Character SUBSTANCE Diederich Hills

12. Context Our surrounds; student exposure Pupil readiness and maturity The Uplands leadership curriculum ISASA schools that offer a ‘Journey’ 8 / 12 / 21 / 23 / 27 days (Origins in Australia – 35 days) Experiential vs academic learning Lifestyles of luxury and entitlement

13. Journey philosophy Staffing: safety; stimulate growth through feedback, debrief guidance, companionship; personal Journey; critical factor – hands off Parents: logistical support; property access; supplies; preparations; post, Solo letter, parents’ Journey; physically removed from students Students: 100% buy-in; full participation; custodians of the Journey – return as adult leaders Landscape and route: a balanced, demanding but attainable challenge; rewarding, inspiring, magnificent; hygenic; safe; School community: we all rally and juggle and compromise in order to enable and support this unique learning experience

14. Journey philosophy Learning: mistakes happen; consequences are felt; debriefs require honesty and sensitivity; feedback is constructive; the handbook; build up to the Solo; reflection and writing;

15. Oakhill ‘Odyssey’ Co-Ed school 3 rd Odyssey this year Grade 10, April 400km 21 Days 30 hour Solo Forest / Coast / Karoo Letters from Shane Kidwell (Headmaster) to parents:.. Knocks, bruises, friend issues.. Consequences.. Lean on others.. Strength within.. More independent.. Responsible.. Take things for granted.. Struggling.... See yourself reflected in others.. Pushed beyond the boundaries http://thegremlin.co.za/knysna- news/wordpress/2012/03/12/oakhill- school-news-56/

16. St Albans ‘Journey’ Boys school 10 th Journey this year Grade 10, April 400km 23 Days 30-36 hour Solo Farms / Nature Reserves / Conservancies/ Wilge,Olifants and Komati river valleys / Panoramic waterfall ending Letters from Tom Hamilton (Headmaster) to community Honour and brotherhood.... Silence, space, safety....challenging.. New, harder route.. Beauty.. Letter to themselves – a contract.. Shape their lives.. Deep, powerful conversations.. Singular highlight.. Will we recognise and respect the changes in them? http://www.stalbanscollege.com/ ‘Reflections from the Form 3 Journey’http://www.stalbanscollege.com/

17. St Albans ‘Journey’cont… Boys school 10 th Journey this year Grade 10, April 400km 23 Days 30-36 hour Solo Farms / Nature Reserves / Conservancies/ Wilge,Olifants and Komati river valleys / Panoramic waterfall ending Student quotes… Tom asks, “What can we expect from our returning students?” Greater autonomy More energy, less passivity Empathy Greater contribution

18. Somerset College ‘Trek’ Co-ed school 17 th Trek this year End of Grade 9, November 360km 27 days 30 hour Solo Helderberg mountain range/ Breede River / Little Karoo / Beach ending Letter from Meg Fargher (Head) to community Congratulations our intrepid grade 9s… process profound.. Generosity of those who help... Tough.. Emotional for parents.. Their support is key.. http://www.somersetcollege.org /campuslife/wp- content/uploads/2013/12/2013 1206-Newsletter.pdf Student quotes