Bush to Beach and Beyond

In 2020, Capella State High School and Tieri State School were awarded a Glencore Smarty Grant from Oaky Creek Coal for a three-year program designed to encourage leadership skills and assist students with the transition from primary school into high school.

The resulting Bush to Beach and Beyond program was intended for students from Tieri State School, Capella State School and Capella State High School to work hand in hand with Metropolitan Caloundra Surf Lifesaving Club (Mets) to build a bespoke “Bush to Beach” leadership program centred around various camps and outdoor activities at different locations.

Originally due to launch in 2020 as Bush to Beach, like many things, it got postponed due to Covid-19 travel restrictions. Not to be deterred, it kicked off with gusto in 2021 as Bush to Gorge, where students visited the beautiful sites of Carnarvon Gorge, including the ‘Moss Garden’ (an ancient moss forest) and the ‘Art Gallery’ where Aboriginal art from thousands of years ago is close enough to examine.

“Some of the students involved from that first group have become Junior secondary Captains at Capella SHS and continue to display excellent leadership among their peers,” says Gerowyn Lacaze, Principal at Capella SHS.

In its second year, students from Capella State School were invited to join the program which this time centred around a camp at Fairbairn Outdoor Education Centre in Emerald and activities at Capella Aquatic Centre. Students once again participated in team building challenges, strengthened their independence and stepped out of their comfort zone to learn more about themselves and what being a leader means.

Kenzie, a student from Tieri, now at Capella State High, has been involved in the program for three years. She told us: “I find Bush to Beach has been a great learning experience. It has been really good to interact with younger and older students to share our discoveries about what leadership means and how we can develop the best parts of ourselves.”

This year, the program returned as Bush to Beach where selected students travelled to Magnetic Island from 19^th – 22^nd November. The goal of the program was for participating students to come away with a stronger understanding of leadership, as well as enhanced knowledge and appreciation of beach safety, water safety and the ability to save a life. And, of course, to have plenty of fun and adventures along the way!

According to Gerowyn, the outcomes from this project are clearly visible as students are growing as leaders, whether they have a formal badge or not. The outcomes so far include:

• Leadership skills development: students have grown skills in conflict resolution, team building, values identification and effective communication
• Personal growth: skills have been developed in goal setting, time management and collaboration
• Responsibility: students have learned to take responsibility for their own learning and development, as well as for the success of their team
• Fun and engagement: students are committed to participating fully in school and community activities.

“This program has not only given amazing opportunities to our young people who have responded extremely positively, it has also strengthened the ties between the three amazing schools we have here,” reflects Gerowyn.

“It was funded through Glencore’s Smarty Grant program. The application was easy to complete and all ongoing communication has been supportive and timely. We’re very grateful for Glencore Oaky Creek Coal’s ongoing support, it really makes a difference to our schools, students and community overall.”