Get out of the way and let Nature weave her magic

![CDATA[A specialist behavioural school in Australia has successfully devised and implemented ‘The Outside Classroom’ (TOC) to engage at-risk students in learning. This research project examined the impact of Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) when applied in an innovative way to complement TOC. ACT is a behavioural change approach founded on the principles of positive psychology, with the goal “to catalyse a change in focus of psychology from preoccupation only with repairing the worst things in life to also building positive qualities” (Hayes et al., 1999, p. 5). This project investigated if an eight-week ACT intervention specifically designed and delivered within TOC program can enhance the emotional, social and behavioural wellbeing of Year 5 and 6 students (N = 14). The impact was determined by a pre/post-test standardised scales, observations, and interviews. Post interviews were conducted with students and teachers, and relevant student records were accessed to determine any change over the course of the intervention. The study culminated with the students’ narratives being co-generated into a creative artwork collaboratively with an Indigenous Elder carried out three months post-intervention. The results highlight new synergies between targeted behavioural change programs and TOC for at risk student groups and inform how TOC and ACT can be delivered in a collaborative and complementary fashion to effect positive change for students with challenging behaviours. This presentation specifically examines students’ narratives and the collaborative artmaking process where they visually represented their experiences in the outdoor ACT intervention by creating an enduring artefact for their school.]]