Growing Independence Through Camps at Yandina State School
At Yandina State School, our camp program is a carefully designed journey that builds confidence, independence, and resilience step by step — beginning with a one-night sleepover close to home and culminating in the five-night national capital experience in Year 6.
Camps at Yandina SS are not simply excursions; they are an essential part of our commitment to developing the whole child — fostering leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and a lifelong love of learning. Each year adds a new layer of challenge and opportunity as students grow in readiness and confidence.
Year 2 – The First Step: School Sleepover
Our Year 2 students begin their adventure with a camp sleepover on the school oval. This safe and familiar setting helps children experience staying away from home while building independence, organisation skills, and teamwork. Linked to Science (Earth and Space Sciences), students enjoy hands-on learning under the stars and strengthen social connections that support future school experiences.
Year 3 – Beach Camp at Noosa North Shore
The Year 3 camp expands horizons with a two-night coastal experience at Noosa North Shore. Students explore the beach environment, teamwork activities, and group living in cabins — applying classroom learning about coastal ecosystems, sustainability, and physical activity in real-world contexts. This stage nurtures confidence, cooperation, and responsibility in a new environment away from home.
Year 4 – Bush Camp at Tuchekoi
By Year 4, students are ready for greater independence and challenge at Tuchekoi Outdoor Education Centre. The bush setting allows learners to explore Science and HASS concepts about ecosystems, forces, and sustainability, while also building problem-solving, leadership, and resilience through adventure activities.
Year 6 – Canberra Camp: The National Experience
The camp journey culminates with the five-night Canberra Camp, where students explore Civics and Citizenship, History, and Science through visits to Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, Questacon, and the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre. This final camp consolidates years of learning — encouraging students to represent Yandina SS with maturity, respect, and pride.
Excursions
At Yandina State School, we believe learning happens everywhere — in classrooms, in our community, and through real-world experiences that bring the curriculum to life. Excursions and incursions are an essential part of our approach to learning. They give students the opportunity to explore, question, and apply their classroom knowledge in authentic, engaging contexts.
Each year level participates in carefully chosen experiences that align with the Australian Curriculum and our school values of Learning, Respect, and Responsibility. These opportunities help students connect what they learn at school to the world around them and develop the curiosity, confidence, and understanding that define lifelong learners.
Prep – Discovering Our World
Prep students begin their exploration of the world with visits to the Sunshine Coast Environmental Education Centre (SCEEC) and Chambers Island, where they learn about local environments, living things, and how we care for nature. A visit to the Ginger Factory links to their English unit on fairytales, where children explore imaginative storytelling through real-life settings and characters.
Year 1 – Our Local Community
In Year 1, students learn about the past and the people who help us every day. Excursions to Yandina Historic House and visits from paramedics, firefighters, and police officers connect directly to HASS and Health units about community roles, safety, and local history. These experiences help children understand their place in the community and the importance of helping others.
Year 2 – Exploring Science and History
Year 2 students expand their curiosity about the world through a visit to the Queensland Air Museum, exploring how technology helps people travel and discover, and how travel has changed over time. The Starlab incursion brings the universe to them — linking directly to Science (Earth and Space) as students explore day and night, planets, and the wonders of the solar system.
Year 3 – Discovering the Past and Present
Through visits to the Queensland Museum and SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, Year 3 students build understanding of Science and HASS, exploring how living things adapt to their environments and how Australia's history is preserved through artefacts and stories. These experiences foster inquiry, observation, and reflection in real contexts.
Year 4 – History and Sustainability in Action
Year 4 students deepen their learning about history, environment, and sustainability through visits to Yandina Historic House and the Yandina Community Gardens. These excursions support HASS units on local heritage and the Science focus on living systems, providing hands-on opportunities to explore how communities evolve and care for natural resources.
Year 5 – Leadership and Aspirations
In Year 5, students begin looking toward the future. They attend the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) Expo, where they engage with science, technology, and innovation in action. The ASPIRE Leadership Incursion complements this by helping students explore leadership, communication, and teamwork — aligning with Health, HASS, and English learning goals.
Year 6 – Real-World Enterprise and Responsibility
The final year of primary school focuses on preparing students for secondary learning and life beyond. A visit to the Eumundi Markets links directly to the Kidpreneur program, where students study economics, enterprise, and financial literacy in a real-world setting. Students also take part in surf awareness lessons and leadership opportunities that promote confidence, responsibility, and active citizenship.
Specialist Learning Experiences
Across the school, specialist programs enhance the learning journey:
- LOTE (Japanese): Students in Years 4–6 enjoy the interactive Wasabi Kids incursion and take part in Japanese speaking competitions, promoting cultural understanding and communication skills.
- The Arts: The Instrumental Music Program provides opportunities for students to attend Beginning Band workshops, encouraging collaboration and creativity with neighbouring schools.
- Physical Education: Students participate in swimming lessons, surf awareness programs, and interschool sports and district trials, building fitness, teamwork, and confidence in physical pursuits.
A School Connected to Its Community
Through these rich and varied experiences, Yandina SS students learn that education extends far beyond the classroom. Every excursion, incursion, and community partnership helps our students see themselves as active, capable learners — connected to their environment, community, and future.