Outdoor Learning lays down roots on the southern beaches

Thanks to support from a Tasmanian Community Fund Community Action Grant, students from Dodges Ferry Primary School are experiencing education beyond the classroom through the Grow & Learn program.

In partnership with Okines Community House and the Southern Beaches Landcare Coastcare Group, the program has transformed the Okines Community Garden into an outdoor classroom, where students from Grades 3 to 5 explore hands-on, nature-based learning.

Delivered in line with the Australian Curriculum, Grow & Learn is designed to engage a diverse range of learning styles through immersive activities that support core educational outcomes.

From soil science to sustainability, students connect with their local environment while building confidence and curiosity.

The project leaders said there was something special about learning outdoors.

"Students are naturally curious about the world around them and they’ve been very engaged in the Grow & Learn program,” they said.

“Hands always shoot up when the educators call for volunteers to grab a shovel or wheelbarrow.”

Led by talented educators Sonja and Nicola the program saw students learning the "recipe" for great compost and getting their hands dirty to create nutrient-rich soil for the community garden.

A newly formed Grow & Learn Reference Group, made up of students, the deputy principal, community members and representatives from Okines Community House and Southern Beaches Landcare, now meets each term to guide the program’s future.

One of its key goals is to develop a toolkit that will help other Tasmanian schools and communities establish their own Grow & Learn programs.

With a powerful blend of environmental education, community connection and student empowerment, Grow & Learn is planting the seeds for a healthier, more engaged generation of learners.