Learning Expedition making a difference in the community
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LEARNING Expeditions, sometimes known as Expeditionary Learning, are an innovative approach to education in which children are immersed in real-world experiences within their community.
Through carefully designed, curriculum-aligned projects, students can move beyond the classroom walls and engage in deep, purposeful and memorable learning.
Each Learning Expedition is thoughtfully planned and clearly mapped to curriculum standards, skills and content.
Our journey began at the start of the year when WPS principal Jenevieve Heinrich and WPS educators Jess Martin and Rachel Esposito attended a two-day Learning Expeditions training course in Adelaide, organised by the Department for Education.
Other schools in our region, such as Central Yorke School and Wallaroo Mines Primary School, have embarked on similar journeys.
Central Yorke School at Maitland has completed some fantastic learning within the community. Check out its Facebook page for some great insight.
The training in Adelaide featured inspiring guest speakers, including Ron Berger, senior advisor at EL Education and professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Gwyn ap Harri, chief executive and co-founder of XP Schools Trust in the United Kingdom.
Ron and Gwyn reflected on the progress and growth of Learning Expeditions since they were introduced a year ago in a pilot program for the Department for Education across South Australia. They shared how schools have embraced this approach by linking academic challenge with character development and community action.
Teachers, students and school leaders shared inspiring stories of real change taking place in classrooms and communities. The sessions also highlighted valuable lessons from international experience, including the challenges and successes of expanding this model, and the ongoing importance of school culture and leadership in sustaining meaningful learning.
Learning with the community
Following the training, Jess and Rachel began planning a Learning Expedition that would connect high-impact learning with the wider community. Based on the interests of her class, Jess developed the focus question: how can we save the cats and kittens in our community?
Rachel has worked on creating a community garden with her class and has published a cookbook to sell. Since then, our year 5/6 children have been working closely with Wallaroo charity Little Claws Rescue to make a genuine difference.
Each child selected a rescue cat to observe and focus on, created a portrait to be displayed in local shop windows to raise awareness and encourage adoption, and wrote narratives inspired by their chosen cat.
Children created posters about how to care for rescue cats when they enter a new home. The posters support appropriate care for these special cats, which need time, patience and a predictable environment to heal from past stress or trauma.
They have also designed models and dioramas to showcase their learning.
As part of the expedition, students have worked with the Copper Coast Council to learn what it means to be a responsible pet owner.
They have spoken with a veterinarian and visited the Animal Welfare League in Adelaide, broadening their understanding of animal care, welfare and community responsibility.
Most importantly, many of the cats chosen by the students have since been adopted as a direct result of their hard work and advocacy.
The students also set up a donation bin to collect food and goods for Little Claws Rescue. The response from the community has been overwhelming, with so many donations received that the bin has had to be emptied three times.
This Learning Expedition has been a powerful example of how authentic learning can inspire students to take
action, build empathy and make a meaningful contribution to their community.
Our year 5/6 students have not only deepened their learning but have also helped create positive change for local cats and kittens in need.
The impact of this Learning Expedition on student engagement has been truly inspiring. By connecting learning to a real community need and giving our children a clear and meaningful purpose, this project has empowered our learners to become highly motivated, invested and engaged in their learning.
Celebrating their achievements
To celebrate and conclude the expedition, the children and Jess have planned a Family Fun Fair on Thursday, September 24 (details on opposite page), and we would love as many community members as possible to come along.
The children have designed games, organised market stalls and invited local stallholders to be part of the event.
They have also invited Narungga MP Chantelle Thomas, our education director and LET team.
There will be indoor bouncy castles, face painting, YP Donuts and more. Entry is free, and all funds raised will go directly to Little Claws Rescue.
