Year 9 Retreats

SIMON FINNIGAN, DIRECTOR OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

The Year 9 House Retreats took place in the last two weeks of Term 1. Two Houses at a time made their way to the Cape Otway Campus for a three-day experience on Gadubanud Country. Apart from some light rain on the first day of the Retreat, we were greeted with very stable and mild conditions with plenty of sunshine and some amazingly clear and spectacular night skies.

The Year 9 House Retreats are a key component of the transition to the Senior School, providing an opportunity to foster strong connections as the Year 9 students commence their shared journey through Senior School.

The main objectives of the Retreat included fostering strong connections amongst students that promoted a sense of belonging and connectedness, providing a forum for reflection on their first term at Senior School and further establishing an identity and culture that is safe, inclusive, and supportive. The Retreat also endeavoured to create healthy, positive, respectful and collaborative relationships with peers and staff, as well as strengthen students’ sense of self, and help them realise their potential and capacity.

Students were accommodated in bell tents and dorms. They participated in group leadership challenges, group problem-solving and initiative challenges, Rites of Passage protocols, an Indigenous cultural session, a bushwalk along a portion of the Great Ocean Walk and dinners at Bimbi Park.

Year 12 Prefects were a new part of this year’s program and their contributions were a welcome addition. They demonstrated maturity and a willingness to work alongside staff to help support the Year 9 students. Their participation was a significant contribution to the success of the program.

The overwhelming majority of students made the most of the Retreat, embracing the opportunities that were presented and as a result, gained a great deal from the experience. These students also contributed positively to further developing an inclusive culture within their House. There were important lessons learned in terms of self-control, the importance of listening attentively to and respecting others, communicating effectively, and collaborating with others.

Many Heads of House and Tutors made comments on how the Retreat creates a space whereby meaningful social interactions were enabled either through structured activities or in the unstructured moments between. They also talked about how the time away enabled them to get to know their students to a greater extent, as well as for students to get to know each other better. These intensive residential experiences enable these interactions to organically happen.

The final day of the retreat involved an Easter egg hunt which was enjoyed by all but more importantly, an honouring process whereby students were acknowledged for who they are and what they bring to their interactions with others. This was coupled with a letter from parents/guardians, which was a real highlight of the Retreat and a powerful moment for students. These moments are but two of many Rites of Passage activities that take place during the Retreat and are important steps in acknowledging young people and recognising them for who they are.

These experiences require a number of people in order to make them happen, many of whom are behind the scenes. I’d like to acknowledge and thank all our external providers, College Business and Operations staff, Heads of House and Year 9 Tutors. I’d also like to thank the Year 9 students and parents/guardians for their involvement in and support of the Year 9 House Retreat.

“This experience is so important for the Year 9 students in Term 1. They need to bond as a group outside of their hectic daily environments where they have so many commitments and distractions, including technology and devices. ‘Switching off’ and having to communicate and work with a group of people that will be a core part of their Senior School life is vital. Importantly, learning about the land that we are on and our First Nations peoples’ commitment to its conservation gives them a deeper respect for their surroundings; this is invaluable.”

Vicki Read

Year 9 Coles Tutor

“The students were revelling in the opportunity to spend time together, away from the normal conventions of life at home and school. Having the opportunity to embrace the natural beauty of the Cape Otway campus in a safe and friendly context of the Year 9 Retreat was really important.”

Phil Taylor

Head of McArthur House

“Some of my Year 9 students have reflected that the retreat was one of their highlights of the year so far. It was a wonderful opportunity for the staff to really get to know the Year 9s and also for them to get to know each other. Having some Year 12 prefects present was also an excellent addition this year and a unique learning opportunity for all students and staff involved”.