Year 9 Redlands students have immersed themselves in country life, spending nine weeks living and learning at the school’s High Country Campus just outside Jindabyne near the Snowy Mountains.
It was the start of Redlands’ new residential learning program, Moonbah, a bespoke interdisciplinary curriculum which encourages practical hands-on learning, reinforcing students’ conceptual knowledge.
Sean Corcoran is the principal of Redlands, an independent, coeducational school in Cremorne, and says that the program allowed students to take a different approach to learning. “Through a range of core and elective subjects, students develop skills of deep understanding, critical thinking, problem-solving and independence,” he said.
Not only did the students immerse themselves in nature, but they also became part of the wider community, exploring the unique challenges and differences of the Snowy Mountains region through the environmental learning core subject, and giving back to the community through the High Country Helpers component.
For many, Moonbah was also their first experience of community living. Residing in dorms, the students formed closer connections with their peers and enjoyed the independence and additional responsibility of looking after themselves, their belongings and each other.
The Moonbah experience allowed students to relish the strengthening of friendships and connections, try new activities and experience different styles of learning.