Colac West Primary School proudly offers a Nature School program that brings rich, hands-on outdoor learning experiences to our students.

Developed in collaboration with local University Researchers and early childhood professionals, the program draws inspiration from the Australian Bush Kinder model and the Scandinavian practice of Udeskole.

The initiative has been enthusiastically embraced by our school community. Teachers observe remarkable growth in students’ confidence, resilience, teamwork, and peer relationships. Nature School also provides valuable opportunities for problem-solving, particularly in navigating social interactions and developing emotional resilience.

Results have been encouraging, with improvements in student resilience and wellbeing reflected in school survey data.

Through Nature School, our students continue to discover the joy of learning beyond the classroom, building stronger connections with each other and an appreciation for the natural world around them.