Carey Baptist Grammar School’s unique, redesigned Year 10 Program enables more meaningful connections between classroom learning and real-world experiences, with students travelling to Far North Queensland for an immersive three-week expedition.
The new Carey Zero program features two key components: the ‘Zero at Kew’ subject and the ‘Zero Journey’ expedition.
Zero at Kew is a unique and engaging year-long classroom subject that empowers students by nurturing their physical, mental and academic wellbeing, while also fostering other important life skills including leadership and critical thinking.
“The Zero at Kew subject allows students to learn and practice important lifelong skills such as planning, financial literacy and meditation skills, which students also use on their Zero Journey expedition,” Ms Katherine Cameron, Carey Zero co-creator, said.
Zero Journey is a transformative and immersive learning opportunity where students travel interstate from Melbourne to Townsville for a three-week expedition to unique locations for hands-on learning.
“Senior School is an important time in a student’s higher education and we have redesigned our Year 10 Program offering to reflect the changing world and to continue to meet the needs and expectations of our students,” Mr Jonathan Walter, Carey Baptist Grammar School Principal, said.
Zero Journey gives students the opportunity to visit vastly different environments and participate in hands-on learning with partner organisations, including James Cook University (JCU) and Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC). The variety of these experiences aims to cultivate an understanding of and passion for sustainability and land management.
The exciting itinerary may include visiting JCU’s remote bio-marine research station on Orpheus Island, learning about various trade-based economies that sustain Australians at Woodleigh Cattle Station, or witness wisdom and build respect for the land from a First Nations perspective with the Nywaigi people at Mungalla Station. All students explore AWC’s Mount Zero–Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary where they learn about and participate in land restoration accompanied by an ecologist.
Groups consist of up to 15 students and one classroom teacher as their Zero Mentor. These small groups allow for more effective collaboration and communication and deepens the students’ learning. By participating in individual and group reflection exercises, students strengthen their knowledge, engage in new ways of thinking and learning, and develop an understanding of the perspectives of others.
“This new program is designed to equip our students with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate their future and empower them to have a positive impact on our natural environment through transformative and interactive learning experiences,” Mr Tom Ziebell, Head of Carey Zero, said.
