EXIT PROGRAM THERE IS MORE IN YOU THAN YOU THINK! A UNIQUE LEARNING JOURNEY WHAT IS THE EXIT PROGRAM? The EXIT program is the name given to the weeks set aside in Billanook’s curriculum for Years 7 to 11 students to ‘exit’ the College and participate in a large variety of local, national and international experiences. Based on the IDEALS of Round Square, the program provides stepping stones for students to build their International understanding, learn about social justice and Democracy, increase their awareness of the need for Environmental sustainability, extend their personal boundaries through Adventure, challenge and develop Leadership skills outside the classroom and give back to their community through Service to others. One of the many valuable aspects for students > participating in the program is building a profile which reflects their practical involvement in the various components of the EXIT program. The EXIT Program fosters a never stop learning philosophy which allows a student to achieve beyond academic excellence. 1 ROUND SQUARE What is the Round Square? A ROUND Round Square is a network of 200 To become part of Round Square a school Member of innovative schools, in 50 countries, across must demonstrate how the six ‘pillars’ or SQUARE 6 continents, which share a commitment, IDEALS are offered to its students through Round Square beyond academic excellence, to personal different areas of educational practice. development and responsibility through SCHOOL I International Understanding service, challenge, adventure and international understanding. D Democracy Round Square schools, in support of the E Environmental Sustainability educational philosophy of Kurt Hahn, encourage the young into challenging, A Adventure instructive experiences through which L Leadership they can develop > responsibility and care for humanity S Service to Others > commitment to principles > skill and confidence needed for Why is it called ‘Round Square’? effective service and leadership > a global perspective on society and In Scotland a ‘square’ has traditionally been the environment. the administrative centre of an estate. As a result of a slight historical geometric Kurt Hahn, a well-known educator and anomaly, the ‘square’ of Gordonstoun is a philosopher who founded two schools perfectly circular two storey building – as well as the Outward Bound program, The Round Square. The first conference inspired the Round Square Conference was held in this building in 1967 and it was of Schools. He believed that schools decided to adopt the name ‘The Round should prepare students for adulthood by Square Conference’ for the association. enabling them to encounter life directly @r0undsquare in ways that demand courage, generosity, www.roundsquare.org imagination, kindness and principles. 2 BILLANOOK COLLEGE EXIT PROGRAM ROUND SQUARE EXCHANGE PROGRAM Round Square Regional and International School Exchange Program Round Square Conferences Exchanges are a great opportunity for During the school year members of the students not only to discover what it Billanook community, both staff and is like to be a student at a regional or students, actively participate in Round international school, but also to live in Square activities, including Round Square and learn about a new community. This Forums (locally and globally). experience also allows students to meet new people, make friends and compare life Each year interested students have at Billanook with that of their host school. the opportunity to attend the following conferences: Students are offered a valuable learning > Junior Round Square Conference opportunity to > Regional Round Square Conference > live in and experience a different > International Round Square culture and community Conference. > investigate issues relevant to the community visited > develop initiative, and personal management and interpersonal skills The Round Square > learn outside a familiar classroom environment Conference in India was an > expand knowledge about local and more isolated communities. absolute feast for the senses. Students in the Round Square Regional or Food, temples, mountains and International School Exchange program monks – the wonderful world of are billeted with school families or, in some cases, stay at the school’s boarding house. Round Square. 3 OUTDOOR EDUCATION Our Years 7 to 10 Billanook students Outdoor Education Program take part in a sequential Outdoor Education program that fosters The Outdoor Education Program is an integral part of a student’s journey through the independence and responsibility. College to achieve and enhance both academic and pastoral objectives from Years 7 to 11. All Outdoor Education EXITs are planned The School works to meet these goals by exposing students to situations that to make the most of Victoria’s beautiful > stimulate a positive self-concept and self-confidence through successfully dealing countryside and to give students the with challenges (physical and emotional) skills they need to pursue the outdoors as a recreation later in life. > encourage positive values such as accepting responsibility for one’s actions. Outdoor Education is a compulsory Billanook’s Outdoor Education program component of every student’s Year 7 > focuses on life skills such as interdependence, leadership, respect and support to 10 EXIT program. for both peers and adults, responsibility for others, setting and achieving goals, communication and conflict resolution. This process is enhanced by students Year 11 students are encouraged, but working in small groups. not compelled, to select an Outdoor > provides skills and knowledge for future safe participation in outdoor recreation Education program. and/or vocation > contrasts our technological and urban lifestyle with the natural world > ensures that students live in and reflect on a range of natural environments for extended periods of time > highlights the effects of our activities (both at home and in the bush) on our ecosystem > educates for positive and achievable environmental outcomes. 4 BILLANOOK COLLEGE EXIT PROGRAM OUTDOOR EDUCATION Year 7 Camp Year 8 Camp Location: Mornington Peninsula Location: Murray River Grade: Beginner Grade: Beginnner/Intermediate Duration: Five Days Duration: Five Days The Year 7 Camp takes place on the Mornington Peninsula, The Year 8 Camp involves a raft building journey and a bushwalking between Somers and Point Leo. expedition along the Murray River between Cobram and Yarrawonga. The program begins with a visit to the Dolphin Research Institute During the Year 8 Murray River Camp: at Hastings for Educational sessions on Mangroves and the > Students walk or paddle their constructed raft to a new Marine Environment. Our students begin to understand the local campsite. environment and to recognise its importance and the impacts that > The group is entirely self-sufficient for the week, carrying all food, threaten its long and short-term health. clothing and equipment. Students are introduced to self-catering The program has two distinct phases. The first is at Point Leo for the first time and in small groups, will menu plan, shop and where students learn to surf, explore rock pools and challenge cook for 24 hours of the Program. For the remainder of the themselves with various problem-solving activities. camp, food will be distributed amongst the group to carry, and all students will be involved in preparing and cooking group meals. The second involves a hike along the beach to a new campsite, > Students participate in a skills development, extension and cycling, exploration of the Coolart Wetlands and beach combing. consolidation program in relation to bushwalking and camping. This includes bush safety, navigation, packing, cooking and The Year 7 Camp program is designed to camping skills. > enhance relationships between students, their teachers > OEG instructors assist students to develop their skills and and school support staff. judgement, and to take an active role in the guiding and decision- > introduce the skills and routines that will assist students making of the group during the raft-building exercise. through their future outdoor programs and outdoor > Students are accompanied by two staff and have the further experiences. e.g. setting up a camp. support of a specialist instructor during the raft building journey. > give students experiential learning opportunities in regard A dedicated Course Co-ordinator is present to assist groups as to leadership, fellowship and group work required. > give a sense of place by educating students about the local environment. Years 7-10 camps and City9 are a compulsory part of the co-curricular program 5 OUTDOOR EDUCATION Year 9 Camp City9 Experience – Year 9 Location: Walhalla The City9 Experience (City9) is a week-long experiential learning Grade: Intermediate program for our Year 9 students. Students travel to and from the City of Melbourne each day, and engage in creative and Duration: Five Days collaborative opportunities to learn more about the City of Students’ bushwalking, camp craft, navigation, packing and Melbourne and develop a suite of ‘life skills’. Places of interest such cooking skills are further extended in this Program. They are as the MCG, War Memorial and Magistrate’s Court are visited and responsible for self-catering 48 hours of food for the camp. provide the environment for real-world learning to occur. Students are briefed in the weeks leading up to City9 and are involved in The River Journey: The Thomson River offers a