5 years ago on 18th November 2019, Encounter Lutheran College purchased an additional 69 acres of land bordering Adelaide Road and Waterport Road? Initially referred to as “Encounter’s Backyard”, then named ‘Block 69’; today it is known as ‘Wurar Ruwi’ meaning, “land of the red gums”.

18 November 2024 marked five years since Encounter purchased Block 69, which has since become known as Wurar Ruwi. Given this was just pre-COVID it’s even more remarkable to think of what’s happened in the world since November, 2019.

However, away from pandemics and back to the wonderful blessing of 69 acres, our community has already transformed and embraced the space. A new oval (so now we can have Sports Day at ‘home’), a revegetation project underway and, more recently, a new road and the Wilderness Centre. Five years ago there were no camp fires, school sleep outs, wellbeing wanders, no Bush Kindy, Jamieson Ultra or Fraser Dash and no school ‘backyard’ to explore outdoor learning opportunities. So much has changed.

Over the past 5 years, Wurar Ruwi has been such a blessing to our community:

✅ Revegetation project underway
✅ 4,000+ trees planted
✅ A second sports oval has been created
✅ Sports Days now hosted back at ‘home’
✅ Bush Kindy
✅ School sleepouts
✅ Campfires
✅ Wellbeing wanders
✅ Outdoor learning
✅ Cross Country
✅ Jamieson Ultra
✅ Fraser Dash
✅ Bush play spaces at lunchtimes
✅ Prayer Labyrinth
✅ Wilderness Centre
✅ New roadway and College exit

Encounter Lutheran College is situated in a rural setting on 33 Hectares (82 Acres) at the entrance to Victor Harbor. Our natural environment resonates with our families and our focus, with outdoor education, sustainability and a holistic approach to student learning and wellbeing upheld as intentional and valued aspects of our identity.