Bush School and Outdoor Learning
Vision Statement
At St James’, learning is connected to place, community, and the natural world. Through regular outdoor learning experiences and intentional nature‑based education, students develop curiosity, care, and responsibility for the environments they belong to.
What This Looks Like in Practice
Students experience regular outdoor learning
Play, inquiry and connection to place are valued
Learning outdoors is a normal part of practice
Year 4 holds the most intensive Bush School experience
Other year levels engage at developmentally appropriate levels
Stewardship themes recur but are not uniform
Click on the year groups below to discover the key focus areas and see examples of what Bush School learning looks like in practice.
Kindy & Pre-Primary
What We Focus On:
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Exploration, curiosity, comfort outdoors
What This Could Look Like In Practice:
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Short, supported outdoor sessions; sensory play; nature walks; exploration of plants, soil, insects; developing confidence being outside
Years 3-6
What We Focus On:
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Outdoor classrooms and inquiry
What This Could Look Like In Practice:
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Curriculum lessons taught outdoors (e.g. writing, maths, science); inquiry projects connected to place; collaborative problem‑solving; growing independence
Years 1-2
What We Focus On:
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Experiential learning and engagement
What This Could Look Like In Practice:
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Hands‑on activities outdoors; simple investigations; storytelling, art or play in outdoor spaces; building routines for learning outside
Year 4 (Bush School)
What We Focus On:
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Nature pedagogy & environmental stewardship
What This Could Look Like In Practice:
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A structured Bush School program with regular sessions; nature‑based inquiry; responsible risk‑taking; reflection; learning grounded in the local environment