Outdoor Education & Leadership Program
As a school, we are committed to providing students with a challenging, safe, and positive outdoor learning experience. From Grade 1 onwards, teachers and students engage in a comprehensive program of outdoor activity days and interact with the natural world. Overnight camping stays for our younger students gradually extend to week-long residential camps and then into overseas travel in both Middle and High School. As a compulsory part of our curriculum, OELP provides students with experiential learning opportunities designed to promote personal and social growth, global citizenship, communication and leadership skills, and empathy and compassion for people and our planet. OELP enriches our students’ learning experiences and supports them in meeting our Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs).
Typically, High School coordinates two OELP experiences during the school year. During trimester one, a ‘Service In Action Week’ is offered. During trimester three, we run the ‘INFINITY’ Real-World Learning Program.
Service in Action
Our Service In Action Week offers a series of week-long programs and activities which take place overseas and in Hong Kong. These experiences significantly deepen our students’ inter-cultural understanding which naturally develops as they work alongside an NGO to improve the lives of others, while participating in adventure-based activities.
Through community service opportunities, our students are further empowered to make a positive difference. In addition to the social responsibility that is developed through a focus on service, we also recognize the added value that dedicated community service hours can bring to a student’s college application. This is considerable as most colleges and universities seek students with a strong academic background combined with evidence of a well-rounded education.
A further component of the OELP, our ‘INFINITY’ Real-World Learning Program provides students with the opportunity to develop a new skill or to significantly deepen their learning in a particular area of interest. During the program, students work alongside local industries or start-ups and develop real-world work experiences which can lead to valuable Internship opportunities.
Students use part of their Advisory Homeroom time to prepare for their upcoming OELP experiences. Here, they are encouraged to document their OELP learning, to reflect on their experience, and to assess their personal growth.
THROUGH OELP, OUR STUDENTS HAVE TRAVELED TO … PARIS 🇫🇷, FIJI 🇫🇯, CAMBODIA 🇰🇭, CHENGDU 🇨🇳, CHIANG MAI 🇹🇭, GUANGZHOU 🇨🇳, TANZANIA 🇹🇿, BORNEO 🇲🇾, NEW ZEALAND 🇳🇿, SICHUAN 🇨🇳, NEW DELHI 🇮🇳, GREECE 🇬🇷, BALI 🇮🇩, VIETNAM 🇻🇳, YANGSHUO 🇨🇳, TELUNAS BEACH 🇮🇩, XI’AN 🇨🇳, THE SILK ROAD 🇨🇳, HONG KONG 🇭🇰, SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦, SRI LANKA 🇱🇰, LAOS 🇱🇦, THE HIMALAYAS 🇳🇵, AND MANY MORE!
"OELP allowed me to have a fun experience with my friends and we learned a lot. I especially enjoyed learning about the culture and the people. I also enjoyed getting to know my friends a little bit more on this trip. OELP is also a chance for us to create many special memories.""Being able to explore the culture of the Fijians was truly an eye-opening experience that I'll never forget. Their positivity and attitude towards life was unforgettable and proved to be life changing for me.""We opened our eyes to what's happening in countries that aren't first world. Furthermore, there were so many cultural experiences in the trip that we had lessons everyday in some sort of form. It was also wonderful to see teachers outside of the classroom. OELP was fun!"