Village School goes bush

Bush School at Phillip Island Village School is inspired by the concepts of forest school and bush kinder.

It encapsulates a key element of the Village Schools philosophy which aims to “experience the world around us with all of our senses and develop a deep appreciation of our place within it, and our role in contributing to balanced environmental systems”.

PIVS said through allowing time for child-led unstructured play in nature, children develop respect, love and a sense of belonging and responsibility for natural environments.

Bush School has been running at PIVS for several years, and has become a much loved part of its Early Years Program.

Each week, students and Mentors head out to a local area of bushland to play and explore.

The school said the freedom and creativity inherent in Bush School offers children a wide range of physical, social and sensory benefits, and fosters independence, healthy risk-taking and problem-solving skills; experiences that they bring back to school with them.

“We firmly believe that learning doesn’t just happen in a classroom,” a school spokesperson said.

“Returning to the same bush area throughout each school cycle allows students to build a sense of familiarity in which they feel safe to explore their surroundings, take risks, and continue with the games and play that develops over this time.”

The group then moves on to a new bushland site after a cycle or two, to minimise the impact on each area.

Bush School runs in all weather conditions and follows the adage: “There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothes!”.