Immerse in the Journey - Flexi Schools
An exploratory look into the delivery of Adventure Based learning in an Edmund Rice Flexi School.
Flexi schools have been operating in Australia for over 40 years and much of their work is to re-engage disengaged young people with education, hope and community. A lot of this work is done outdoors exploring nature and adventure with bikes, boats, surfing, walking, exploring, learning, living, laughing.
Participants will experience some of the key practices Flexi staff and young people use to create a space of common ground - including: how operation by principle works, working agreements, check in/circle up/community meetings, unconditional positive regards, fierce dignity for young people and their families.
Bryn Dunlop & Jeanette Hartley
he & she
Bryn Dunlop has been an outdoor educator since 1994 having worked in expedition based outdoor education, special needs Steiner boarding schools (UK), adult prison adventure therapy programs and in EREA Flexi schools.
Since 2001 when he started in the first flexi school in Logan Qld, he has been a key player in ABL (adventure based learning) in the largest alternative educative network in Australia. Bryn was also the Qld AABAT rep for a number of years. He is currently the Leader of ABL in the Qld/NT region, leading programs and supporting staff in the art and science of trauma informed outdoor programming and in finding ‘teachable moments’. He is somewhat addicted to the vicarious feelings of achievement and joy often felt by young people leaning into the challenges of ABL and learning on Country.
Bryn has a Masters of Ed. (Outdoor Ed.) and holds numerous activity qualifications, including in patience!
Jeanette Hartley has been in Edmund Rice Flexi Schools for 12 years and living and learning in the experiential, trauma informed education system/s for some time before this. A self-proclaimed ‘outdoor ed groupie’ and committed lifelong learner, keen to understand and apply deep thinking and hands on fun learning to the spaces we call school.
Jeanette has been a youth worker, teacher, head of campus and Campus Principal in Flexi Schools all around Australia, including, North Melbourne, Alice Springs, Tasmania, Western Sydney, Geelong, Colac VIC and Bowen QLD.
Completing the Bibbulmun Track in 2019 continues to be a life highlight as does working in previous programs such as Evolve/TYPO, Borinya and others. Jeanette firmly believes in the Flexi schools’ practices and philosophies in enabling young people to have a voice in their education.