Warin Wisdom - Our Warin-bik (Wombat Country) & Alpine Ride Programs are simultaneously implemented in the last week of Term 1. Our dates for 2025 are: Monday 31st March – Friday 4th April 2025

WARIN-BIK

Warin-bik is an opportunity for students from all Special Schools across Victoria to learn, connect and celebrate First Nations Culture at Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre.

2024 was the fourth year this program has been implemented and it was wonderful to see the increased engagement from Schools across the State.

While the program is organised by Blackwood Staff, it is designed to give students opportunities to grow through connection with First Nation peoples/Traditional Owners.

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Warin is Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung language for Wombat


Through onsite and offsite learning experiences students were able to improve their knowledge through:-

  1. Story Telling
  2. Traditional Aboriginal Games
  3. Artefacts
  4. Bushwalking
  5. Campfire Celebrations
  6. Cultural Immersion Experiences


32nd BLACKWOOD SUPER RIDE

Applications for the 32nd Blackwood SuperRide are now OPEN. Event details and applications can be found here:-

Blackwood Super Ride
Dates:-Wednesday 6th - Friday 8th November 2024

With the route now including the 6km Domino Trail, Blackwood Staff are looking forward to riding together in November.

22nd BLACKWOOD ALPINE RIDE

What started as an introduction ride in the Alpine Region has grown into a calendar favourite within Victorian SpecialSchools.

Under the leadership of our amazing Blackwood Staff, the Alpine Ride has extended through to Harrietville, with students enjoying a pleasant ride along the Ovens River between Harrietville and Bright.

A pleasurable 100km ride along the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail, the Alpine Ride offers everyone an impressiveand scenic ride.


SCHOOL UPDATE

As a School we continue to evolve. With 3 school funded projects already approved by the VSBA, we are currently working through the process to complete tender documents for development throughout the remainder of 2024.

In the future we look forward to showcasing the following developments:-

  1. Kitchen & Dining Room facilities, transforming our School into a fully catered Outdoor Residential School
  2. Improved accessibility, layout and facilities at our Student Learning Hub
  3. High Ropes Shed & Covered Outdoor Activities Site
  4. VSBA improving our ramps
  5. Ambulance Victoria Shed at our Residence Accommodation Site


CURRICULUM

With a focus on improved student outcomes, our staff continue to advance the curriculum implemented at our school through:-

  1. Improved AAC visuals and communication boards in lesson delivery
  2. Archery now had Black Lights, offering a Glow in the Dark Archery experience
  3. Our Imagination Trail has been re-sealed with a bitumen hot mix to improve safety and accessibility

Important Information

WHO ARE THE BLACKWOOD STAFF?

TILLY

What is your favourite lesson at Blackwood?

Bushwalking

What do you enjoy about your job?

Seeing students connect to the environment and feel
proud when they accomplish new challenges.

What is your favourite food?

Pizza

What is your favourite animal?

Sugar Glider

What colour car do you drive?

Batwoman Black BatMobile

Our first
E-Push!

ACCESSIBILITY

Being located in the beautiful Wombat State Forest it can be a challenge for everyone to fully explore and appreciate our School and the surrounding environment.

To help improve accessibility and provide opportunities for all students, Blackwood Special Schools OEC now has two E-Push – The All-Terrain Tricycle Wheelchairs with Electric Assistmaking it easier for all students to fully immerse themselves in our curriculum and extend their comfort zones through outdoor experiential learning.

The E-Push has been an instantsuccess,appreciatedby both students & staff.

Our first E-Push – The All Terrain Tricycle Wheelchair with Electric Assist has arrived. Our second E-Push has been kindly supported by funds donated by the Cassandra Gantner Foundation through Variety – The Children’s Charity

All photos and Wurundjeri language have been granted permission through appropriate processes and approved by relevant corporations