Published on: 6 November 2024



Excitement is building as Year 10 students prepare for their Venture trip, beginning on Monday 11 November through to Thursday 21 November. In the lead up to the ad’Venture’, students have been busy breaking in their hiking boots and getting ready for the journey that lies ahead.

Venture, a key component of the School’s Outdoor Education program for over 30 years, offers students the rare chance to engage with environmental challenges while simultaneously building critical life skills. As an extension of the Kooringal experience, the program focuses on essential outdoor competencies such as risk management in wilderness settings, campsite etiquette, and behaviours that protect the unique ecosystems of Western Australia’s south coast.

Venture will take the students on an 11-day journey through the breathtaking bushland and coastal landscapes of D’Entrecasteaux and Walpole-Nornalup National Park. The experience, regarded as a rite of passage for the Year 10 boys, aims to foster self-reliance, resilience, and personal growth while also deepening their connection to nature.

In preparation for the trip, the students recently participated in ‘gear week,’ a vital part of the Venture process. Students started organising their equipment and checking gear tubs in classrooms and on the school oval. They also attended a first aid session and received a refresher on using Trangia stoves to cook their meals in the bush.

As the days countdown, students will finalise their food organisation and bag packing with their groups. The preparation includes short and long practice walks, designed to help the students adjust to the physical demands of the trek. In a meaningful addition to their preparation, an Indigenous presenter will speak with the students on Friday about the land they will be exploring, offering valuable cultural insights and perspectives that will enhance their understanding of the environment.