E14. The Nature School

Episode Description

Episode Description

In this episode we look at the way the Australian Curriculum is embedded through the lens of nature in one of Australia’s newest independent school in Port Macquarie – The Nature School.  Their early learning and play programs include bush immersion for their playgroup, early years and vacation care as well as their independent primary school. We are joined by Jaqcui Leach who is the Head of Early Learning & Play at The Nature School and Catherine Oehlman who is the founding head of The Nature School Primary.  .

👉 Our Discussion

  • How the primary school grew out of the bush immersion programs in their Early Learning Division – teaching half the day inside and half outside while meeting outcomes and delivering curriculum requirements

  • How the COVID isolation experience is shining a light on how children really feel about their learning

  • Connecting learning to the world they live in through real experiences

  • Learning never stops and how we can use the outdoors and the community to extend their understanding of the world

  • How we continually challenge and reflecting on our teaching practice – remembering our why

  • The challenges of delivering a accredited bush immersion Early Years Service

  • What the day in the life of a child looks like at the Nature School

  • The benefits of having a nature based vision for educational outcomes – the release of the pressure cooker, reduced anxiety and improved confidence. 

  • Children as active global citizens – their voice is important 

  • The impact of the 2019 bushfires

👉 Freebie

Don’t forget to download our “Classroom Outdoor Learning Checklist” so that you can start some conversations at your child’s school about nature play. Simply head to www.wildlingsforestschool.com/free-downloadables to get your copy!

👉 Guest Details

Jaqcui Leach is the Head of Early Learning & Play at The Nature School Inc. Over the last 8 years Jacqui has worked in early learning services, bringing in her love of learning in the outdoor environment. She is strongly passionate about the inclusive and therapeutic benefits of nature for all children.

Catherine Oehlman is the founding Head of The Nature School Primary. She is an accomplished educator, writer, children’s poet, and self-confessed bird nerd.

👉 The Nature School’s Details

https://www.thenatureschool.org.au/

👉 Links and Resources

Sponsor - Fun Fables Podcast

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Elli Byrne