Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air - Ralph Waldo Emerson

For the past month our Issoudun Hartzer Group 1 students have spent their time living and learning in the beautiful surrounds of Hartzer Park. Nestled in the Southern Highlands of NSW, they have experienced a month with limited technology, without family and the comfort of home. In a recent article by Dona Matthews Ph.D (April 2023) All kids need time in nature and the planet needs that too, she outlines the benefits that outdoor experiences, such as Hartzer, can have on a young person’s mental health, and how it can benefit physical health, happiness and resilience. Time in nature she states:

• builds confidence
• encourages curiosity
• stimulates all the senses
• encourages physical activity
• supports mental health and resilience - people who spend time in nature are calmer and happier
• enables appropriate risk taking.

At OLSH we have a comprehensive camp program, where students are offsite for a number of days each year. Encouraging students to attend these initiatives and supporting the camp program has great benefits. 

All camps offered lead to key social and emotional development. Our camps place all students in environments that are unfamiliar and challenging. Key social connections are established on camps which in turn lead to improved wellbeing. These experiences improve self-awareness, relationships, decision making , leadership and social awareness. 

As we approach the holiday period let’s make the most of the outdoors and “Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea and drink the wild air” -Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Ms Dina Oro
Deputy Principal, Student Wellbeing