Middle years students in Years 5–9 live in unprecedented times. Their digital and physical lives are increasingly inseparable, and they are growing up in a complex world shaped by rapidly changing technology, social pressures and emerging health risks. Young people need health education through both a dedicated curriculum aligned with the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0 and whole-school approaches that develop health literacy more broadly. As part of this, they need practical, transferable risk literacy skills that can be applied across digital and physical settings.

This practical session explores how outdoor learning can support risk literacy through the Health and Physical Education curriculum for students in Years 5–9. Participants will explore activities that can be delivered on and near school campuses, through which students learn to identify hazards, analyse risks and make informed decisions about how to respond. The session will conclude with a discussion of how these activities can be integrated into health education classes and help students transfer their learning to other settings.

‍Note: During this session, participants will go for a walk around campus to complete some activities. Practical clothing is required depending on the weather (e.g., hat, rain jacket, etc.)