We participate in a wide range of incursions, excursions and camps to expose children to a variety of hands-on learning experiences and broaden their understandings.
Excursions and incursions at Surfside
Our children enjoy exploring their world through new places and points of view, and by organising these events based on current classroom themes, we make learning even more engaging and relevant.
New environments
An excursion generally involves visiting a new place, or experiencing a familiar environment in a new way, which helps children to focus and engage more actively in the experience, and strengthens learning.
New experiences
Excursions and incursions expose children to things that they may not have encountered before, and wouldn’t have in the course of their daily lives at home and at school.
Discovering new plants, animals, buildings and cultures opens students up to possibilities they might not have considered before and may spark new hobbies and passions
Social skills and teamwork
Spending time with classmates and teachers in a new context requires children to interact in new ways, to ensure that they participate fully in the experience.
Whether that means talking to a new person, staying with the group or expressing their views on something, excursions and incursions strengthen students’ social and emotional skills.
Problem solving and planning
Excursions and incursions also often involve new or uncommon activities, such as travelling on public transport, exploring unfamiliar buildings or interacting with rare animals.
These experiences help students learn about problem-solving, critical thinking and get students’ thinking on their feet to deal with new situations and challenges
New perspectives
During these events, students also get to learn about something from a new perspective.
Whether that’s via a new person, a new location or a new subject matter, participating in excursions and incursions helps students see the world in a new way.
An appreciation of diversity
Through such outings and events, children can be introduced to new cultures, histories, people and traditions. This helps students develop an appreciation for the many and varied elements that go into creating our diverse community and world.
Our excursions and incursions
We make use of our local community and resources to create fun experiences that help students learn about the world in new ways.
Excursions are often local, particularly when using the school’s local area to enhance a curriculum purpose.
At other times we might travel further via a bus to explore areas beyond our local community.
School camps at Surfside
School camps enable our students to build a different perspective on school life and their community.
We currently offer two camp experiences each year – in year 4 (Coastal Forrest Lodge, Anglesea) and in year 6 (Roses Gap)
Why do we go on camp?
We strive to give the children a growing level of independence, and the belief that they can control their lives, and make a difference to others.
Students are encouraged to think, and to think for themselves. They decide on the best course of action in many situations, both work and play, and are involved increasingly in decision-making within activities.
You can’t expect anyone to be independent unless you give them the opportunity to “have a go” and in a real life setting.