Community Building & Leadership

Enjoying the great outdoors is part of the Bishop Tyrrell experience. Our students are offered a range of Outdoor Education opportunities over the course of their Secondary education. 

Camps

Year 7 - Myuna Bay on Lake Macquarie. Activities include; flat water kayaking, sailing, giant swing, high and low ropes, flying fox, abseiling, rock climbing, and team rescue initiative.

Year 8 - Barrington Tops. Activities include; riparian walk, tree planting, survival skills and white water canoeing.

Year 9 - Barrington Tops. Activities include; rainforest walks, white water kayaking, white water canoeing and mountain biking.

Year 10 - Sydney. Students camp on Cockatoo Island, travel throughout Sydney using public transport and participate in a range of activities, including charity work and an Aboriginal cultural session.

Year 11 - Snowy Mountains. Students are introduced to an alpine environment and can ski or snowboard.

Year 12 - Port Stephens. Designed as a ‘retreat’, this camp assists in preparing students for the Higher School Certificate.

At Bishop Tyrrell, we believe in being involved in, and giving back to the community. We want our students to mature into young adults who are ready to lead and serve in society. 

For example, our iTea program was created to offer residents of Anglican Care the opportunity to learn a new skill while socialising with the younger generation. Students in our Year 11 Information and Digital Technology class meet once per term with elderly residents to teach them about computers and the internet. Our Food Technology and Hospitality students are also involved by preparing delicious refreshments.

This program allows our students to use their IT talents to benefit the lives of others. Most residents at Anglican Care don’t own computers or tablets, and would otherwise not have a chance to go online, learn and see new things, and communicate with family who live far away.  

Manager of lifestyle, wellbeing and diversity at Anglican Care, Jane Meldrum, has said their residents love both the technological exploration they enjoy through our program, as well as the social time spent with our students.

The Newcastle Herald printed an article on our iTea Program, which you can read here. 

Bishop Tyrrell has offered the internationally recognised Duke of Edinburgh Award to students since 2000.

Students over the age of 14 can work towards their Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards. Training for expeditions is held during lunchtime, with key practice and assessment weekends occurring in the local area.

Students can personalise their program, completing four mandatory sections from the following choices:

• Physical Recreation – sport and fitness
• Skill – learn a new skill
• Volunteering – connect with community
• Adventurous Journey – a journey into an unfamiliar environment
• Residential Project (Gold Award only) – live and work in a place of need in Australia or overseas

Bishop Tyrrell is a member of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Lower Hunter Support Group. Students can have their awards presented to them at the organisation’s annual presentation night.