Marist College Canberra is a Catholic school for boys located in the Suburb of Pearce in Canberra.  The school has an enrolment of some 1600 boys and is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2008.  An Outward Bound program has been part of the school’s curriculum since 1982.

Marist Canberra runs an extensive, rigorous Outdoor Education program in which all students participate.  Camps are conducted for boys in Years 5 to 10. These camps follow a variety of patterns with an increasing level of challenge and culminate in the ten-day Outward Bound program.  These outdoor activities are designed to complement the religious and academic development of the students, and to promote qualities of self-reliance, initiative, cooperation, confidence, leadership, and the capacity to deal with significant emotional and physical challenges.

Marist Canberra also offers The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme to students in years 9 to 12 on weekends, as an additional avenue to pursue those objectives.

The Marist Canberra program has been tailored to meet the specific needs of Year 10 students.  The program theme is "What makes a good man?"  The boys are asked to reflect on what attitudes, behaviours, characteristics, attributes and experiences will help them become a well adjusted, contributing member of society.   They are asked why this is important and how can they each work to become the best they can be.  The program is seen as a significant marker in the rite of passage from boyhood into adulthood. It is a journey of self-discovery of human potential and resilience. 

“Outward Bound has become a part of the school’s culture.  The boys know that year 10 is the year they go on “Bound”.  The completion of “Bound” is a very significant event in the boy’s school lives.  When the buses return to the school grounds at the end of “Bound”, senior students, teachers and parents provide a heroes welcome for the boys in celebration of their achievement".

The Marist Canberra Year 10 program is run in the beautiful Kosciuszko National Park.  Highlights of the program include exploration of the caves at Blue Water Holes and canoeing in the upper Murrumbidgee River and on Tantangara Reservoir. Another anticipated activity is the ascent of Mt Morgan, which is the highest point on the Cooleman circuit. 

The program is a unique experience for the boys and has some important outcomes.  The school observes that there is a real sense of pride in the boys at their achievement of completing “Bound” They gain greater insights into growing into manhood and reflect more on values such as compassion, respect, responsibility and service.  It is also noted that upon their return from Outward Bound, the boys take on more responsibility and demonstrate more active community participation.  Teachers also note that there is a greatly increased rapport and respect between teachers and students following the course.

Outward Bound is a significant event in many boy’s lives and is viewed as a rite of passage.  It tests each boy’s endurance. perseverance and resilience.  For many boys, their success on Bound, helps them confront and face future challenges in their lives.

Chris Morrissey Deputy Headmaster.

Having Experienced the Outward Bound course both as a student and now as a teacher, I have had the chance to see a greater depth into the course and values and experiences it gives our young men. It is an event that is a highlight for the majority of our students and a tradition that is bestowed in all Marist Boys.

Simon Rugala Director of Outdoor Education