9 minute read
Camps and Tours
camps
and tours
Year 7 Lord Somers Camp
Lord Somers Camp is one of the most exciting events for many Year 7 students. The camp itinerary was packed with lots of fun activities like pizza making and the Coolart Wetlands walk. The camp activities also provided us with excellent learning opportunities such as surf lifesaving and cultural learning. There were many challenges to tackle which required us to demonstrate courage.
My class, 7S, had three hours to master the art of paddleboarding with our instructor Tommy. With bravery, we completed the activity with flying colours. There were also a few nerve-wracking moments during my experience. Most of them were when my friends tipped my board over and pushed me into the water. I was terrified because I have a fear of deep water. I had to muster the courage to get back onto my board each time and not let my phobia make my experience less enjoyable.
Camping out was a new experience for me. We had to deal with some obstacles that presented themselves in front of us, such as cooking couscous in a trangia for dinner. We had to pitch a tent which was quite difficult for students like me who did it for the first time. When sleeping overnight in a tent I needed to step out of my comfort zone because I am scared of the dark and it was quite frightening when I woke up halfway through the night.
Raft building focused on communication and teamwork. Many students showed courage and contributed ideas to build the rafts. Unfortunately, neither teams’ rafts stayed afloat but my team won as the other team’s raft never made it into the water.
My favourite moment at camp was on Wednesday morning. I went for a run on the beach along with Mr Stanley and two other students. We were able to capture the picturesque sunrise and see some racehorses training on the beach. While running we learned about energy release and Adenosine Trisphosphate and lactic acid (learning on camp is fun!). I learned a valuable lesson that morning. When I first stepped on the beach, I wanted to increase my speed and endurance. When I left the beach, I had learned to work as a team and now I understand the quote ‘You are as strong as your weakest link’.
Some of the most memorable moments of camp occurred during my free time. We played sports, watched movies and shared meals together. This camp was a great opportunity to interact with other Year 7 students and I was able to make many new friendships.
On behalf of all the Year 7 students I would like to thank the school and in particular the staff that accompanied us on this camp to Lord Somers.
Justin Kwan
Year 7
Year 8 Surf Camp – Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast
Shortly after the school year began in February, Year 8 students made their way to the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast for Surf Camp. The camp is a popular fixture on the Year 8 calendar and aims to facilitate the development of connections between students and their form teacher in an informal, outdoor setting. It also provides opportunities for students to develop or refine their surfing skills and refresh their knowledge of water safety.
This year, form groups stayed in a number of locations in Aireys Inlet and Queenscliff and spent time at local beaches. The surf was kind to beginner surfers and the water temperature favourable for the time of year, it was pleasing to see so many students stand on their boards to ride waves to shore. Superb weather ensured that everyone enjoyed their time and returned home with a greater appreciation of beach safety and newfound surfing skills.
Ms Kirsty McDougall
Director of Co-Curricular Activities
Year 8 Camp – Kangaroobie
At the end of a year characterised by cancellations and closures, there was much excitement associated with the announcement that all Year 8 students would have the opportunity to go on camp. Barely two weeks before the scheduled camp date, restrictions lifted to a point where Melbourne-based schools were permitted to travel to rural Victoria for school camps. The enthusiasm for the camp was evident in the rate at which consent forms were signed and returned.
To adhere to COVID-19 restrictions still in place, the camp program was somewhat modified, but all students still had the opportunity to reconnect with peers, get to know newly appointed student leaders and spend time in the outdoors. Bridgland, Clifford, Macneil and Summons Houses made their way to Kangaroobie in Princetown first, on Monday morning, and by early afternoon groups could be found hiking along the Great Ocean Walk, canoeing down the Gellibrand River, testing their agility on the Challenge Course and roaming, GPS in hand, on a high-tech navigation course. On Wednesday morning Derham, Robinson, Schofield and Steven boarded coaches and set out to swap places with the Houses already on camp. Once more, everyone embraced the challenges on offer and enjoyed the sense of freedom that came with being in the outdoors. It wasn’t long before students and staff alike were exclaiming how nice it was to be away, how good the camp food was and how much fun they were having. In all, camp was a magnificent way to end the school year and an invaluable opportunity for Year 8 students to begin their transition to Senior School.
Ms Kirsty McDougall
Director of Co-Curricular Activities
Our First Community Service Tour to Borneo
On 30 November 2019, 11 students and two staff members gathered at Melbourne Airport to venture on the inaugural Community Service Tour to Borneo. Not even the teacher or the Camp Leader, Rich, knew of the exciting and once-in-alifetime opportunity that lay before them. Prior to the trip, money was raised through different individual fundraising endeavours including; a music concert performed at school, part-time jobs and even a golf day! After transferring flights to Brunei, and then Kota Kinabalu, the group made an eight-hour bus trip to Batu Putih. There we met Martin, the leading tree conservationist at this camp, who explained that our group would be the first to attempt their new method of tree planting in order to preserve endangered local tree species. After two and a half days at Batu Putih, another bus ride took us to Sepilok, where the Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre are located. Both aim to improve the welfare and rehabilitation of these endangered species and help illustrate the importance of our tree planting work over the previous days. Following this was a bus transfer to Bongkud Village where we spent two days undertaking cultural activities, brick laying the new community centre, transporting stone drains and playing a soccer game with the locals. The next stage of our trip was a five-day jungle trek. Each day presenting its own challenges: an undulating path, a kneeheight river crossing or traversing up a steep cliff face of rock. We were rewarded with a rest each afternoon, as well as a dip in the river or stream near the camp. After arriving back at Camp Bongkud, we spent two more days concreting a main road, repairing numerous desks at the local primary school prior to the students’ return, bead making and cooking local dishes.
Following our stay at Bongkud, a three-hour bus trip took us to Camp Tinangol, the group’s final opportunity to be able to make a difference to communities we visited. However, consistent and torrential rain halted this process, and some sessions of project work were replaced with bead making and weaving bamboo leaves as well as project work around Camp Tinangol, such as fixing up brick paths, cleaning the basketball court and fixing up locks in bathrooms and showers. We also helped concrete a road, install a drain pipe and wash out water and dirt from the unbuilt volleyball site, which was all completed in heavy rain.
Our second last day in the country was spent doing some light project work in the morning and playing games, singing songs and interacting with about 35 kids from the local Tinangol area. Our final day in the country began with a four-hour bus drive back to Kota Kinabalu, a stopover at the Sumangkap Gong-Making Village, which boasts the biggest gong in Malaysia, and the rest of the afternoon was spent in the markets and shopping centres. Our final dinner was at a burger joint near our accommodation and then we visited three night markets to make any final Christmas or souvenir purchases.
With a total of 35 kilometres on the hike, constant hours of community and project work, and three weeks away from home the group learnt valuable lessons and skills, not only practical and factual, but also the ability to work as a team and independently away from family. We’d like to thank Mr Devine and Mr Mason who planned the whole trip and its activities. Our gratitude also goes to Rich, our Camp Leader, who not only kept us safe but also gave us great insights from his wealth of travel experiences.
