Minya Custodians

Minya Custodians began as a casual conversation between two staff members during a weekend walk, reflecting on the potential benefits of engaging students in learning within their natural environment. Recognising the unique location of the school and the community’s strong connection to the coast, they shared the idea with colleagues, who unanimously agreed on its educational value and potential positive impact on the local environment.

Since then, staff have systematically aligned all learning with the Australian Curriculum and, more recently, the South Australian Curriculum. It is underpinned by the Expeditionary Learning framework, which emphasises inquiry-based, hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world contexts. Through purposeful fieldwork, authentic projects, and reflection, students develop practical skills and deep understanding while fostering stewardship, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility for their local environment.

Key activities include excursion-based revegetation projects and sustainable camping practices at Greenly Beach. All of these experiences have been integrated with the annual Greenly Tree Planting Day in partnership with Lower Eyre Coast Care, a collaboration spanning over 10 years. The school’s on-site nursery supports these initiatives by cultivating and maintaining seedlings for environmental project.

Further, staff and students have focused on the health of water catchment areas and local marine environments. The school has previously partnered with Adelaide University, Dr. Scott Cane, National Parks SA, Landscape Board SA, Fisheries/PIRSA, Nauo Corporation and continues to collaborate with local businesses and subject matter experts.