WILDSIDE

WILDSIDE is a program designed to enhance the resilience and leadership of young people through play and engagement with nature.

WILDSIDE is excellent for building resilient and connected school communities.

The WILDSIDE program has been developed in collaboration with our partners the Jane Goodall Institute Australia and the University of Adelaide. The delivery model is based on our very popular and highly successful PLAY Program.

It is a full one-day onsite (at your school) training program for up to thirty (30) Grade 5/6 student leaders. Through the program training, school Student Leaders learn how to facilitate safe and fun nature-based activities for other students at school during lunch times and recess throughout the year.

The program provides a platform for students to support each other, practice positive values, take responsibility and develop their leadership abilities. 

The WILDSIDE program both directly and indirectly supports teachers to meet many of the General Capabilities in the Australian Curriculum, specifically covering the Personal and Social Capability domain.

What are the benefits of WILDSIDE?

1.     WILDSIDE is a student-led program which empowers students to make positive choices and flourish in their leadership role.  

2.     WILDSIDE leaders develop greater responsibility. The program provides leadership opportunities for them to gain invaluable life skills.

3.     WILDSIDE leaders are encouraged to be themselves and develop their individual expression and self-worth in a leadership capacity. Leaders can then role model these qualities to younger students.

4.     WILDSIDE is inclusive and offers the opportunity for training and developing a broad cross-section of students, not only those who are usually chosen for leadership roles.  

5.     The WILDSIDE initiative aims to build relationships across the school and ensure an abundance of structured and engaging nature-based activities for all, creating a fun and interactive school community.  

6.     WILDSIDE supports all students to enjoy their break times and come back to class refreshed and ready to connect, concentrate and enjoy their learning.

WILDSIDE: A year long school program

Participating schools are provided with a toolkit that guides them through the process of selecting student leaders and any ongoing questions around the management of the program. On the day our two experienced facilitators will come into your school to deliver the program.  WILDSIDE facilitators are experienced with current VIT teacher registration and/or Working with Children Checks.

The focus for the morning session is to introduce the program and interactively train students on some of the games and the skills they will need to run the WILDSIDE program in their school.  The afternoon session is practical and involves student leaders facilitating some of the games they have learnt with a group of younger students under the supervision and guidance of our experienced trainers.

By the end of the day your WILDSIDE student leaders will have the confidence to continue running this program with the support of a dedicated teacher(s)-in-charge.

Costs

x 1 day training
x 2 experienced facilitators

Includes WILDSIDE Card Pack, Teachers Toolkit and Student Certificates:
$2,495 +GST (maximum 30 participants)

*Above costs for Melbourne metro schools. For schools, outside of this region travel/accommodation costs will apply.