They are on an "Adventure day" at The Nature School Primary, an independent school that offers a different approach to mainstream education by including the element of outdoor learning.

Principal Catherine Oehlman is a driving force behind the Port Macquarie school on the New South Wales mid-North Coast.

“I have always been in mainstream, large schools,” she said.

“I dreamed of a little school where kids could spend more time outside and where I could connect them with nature.

"So, for me, being head of The Nature School Primary is pretty much my dream job.

“I was willing to move towns and come with my family to take on this position and I have never done anything so challenging, or rewarding, in my life.”

Ms Oehlman's passion and dedication has been recognised.

She is a finalist — an Excellence Awardee — for Primary Principal of the Year for non-government schools in the 2021 Australian Education Awards, which will be announced later this year.

"I think it’s a real affirmation that little regional schools can be doing great things in the education sector, nationally," Ms Oehlman said.

"That schools like The Nature School are making a difference, not just in our own community, in Port Macquarie, but on a national stage."

Nature School in demand

The Nature School Primary is in high demand.

“We are really punching above our weight … we opened with 22 students in 2018, just kindergarten to Year 2,” Ms Oehlman said.

"We’ve been growing year-on-year. We are now about 80 students with a wait list for most grades.

“We will have around 100 students from K-6 next year, a full primary for the first time."

Ms Oehlman said it was hoped the school would keep expanding.

“There’s discussion about whether there will ever be a secondary school [attached] to The Nature School, so watch this space," she said.

Ms Oehlman said parents were increasingly looking for education alternatives for their children.

“I believe that, in NSW, the independent school sector has the fastest growth in enrolments currently … 40 per cent, I think, of the independent sector are little schools, they have less than 200 students.

“I think parents are looking for a different choice that will suit their family.”

Taking classrooms outdoors

Ms Oehlman said The Nature School followed the NSW curriculum, but approached learning differently, often integrating subject areas.

“We are really looking here at hands-on learning, nature-based pedagogy, learning in place,” Ms Oehlman said.

"So, really taking classroom from textbooks and interactive whiteboards, out into the world."

Ms Oehlman said the school had regular classrooms, but on set "adventure days" students travelled off-site, to the bush, the beach, or town, to learn.

“Look, this is our classroom today. It has no walls, it has no ceiling and I just feel like the sky's the limit for the kind of learning that can happen in a place like this,” she said.

When they are on the school site, instead of an automated bell, Ms Oehlman plays a drum, which, she said, allowed for a more fluid structure to the day.

“I think we still need a bit of flexibility when we are working with children and be responsive to what’s happening with our learnings,” she said.

Always exploring something new

During a day spent at the school, it's evident the teachers and students have embraced this different approach to learning.

Year 3 student Lana Doughty said she loved exploring in nature.

“It’s breathtaking to come to the bush because it’s so beautiful and you get to see new species that you haven’t seen before,” Lana said.

Fellow student Zach McKenna agreed.

"It’s so nice and quiet and peaceful and I can hear lots of nature and bird calls," he said.

Story By | Emma Siossian