Year Seven Camp

Whoosh!

Off I went down the slide. It was about 8:30 in the morning and it was freezing, but that didn’t stop me. On my first go, I hit the water at incredible speed and began gliding along the water like a skimming stone. Finally, I stopped and thought just how fantastic that was. I wanted to do that again, so I did it again and again and again and again. Finally, at the end of the activity everyone was drenched cold and sniffling.

We were on the way back to the Lodge to have a nice hot shower (for only two minutes) and we were all exclaiming about how great it was, when a couple of the girls squealed with delight and ran over to where the horses were. A group of people were dismounting and they were hugging the horses that they had ridden for the morning activity. Mr James finally had to literally pull the girls away from the horses, and we went back to the Lodge to play table tennis and basketball and to wait for lunch to be made. I had that nice hot shower that I had been waiting for.

Lenny Chapman (7R)

As my team walked our boat to the edge of the water. I felt the pieces waiting to fall off the boat and collapse to the ground, but I didn’t let them. We came face to face with the freezing cold ice water. We all suddenly come to a stop. Who’s going in first! We start looking around nervously. “I’ll go” I said as I dipped my toe in the water starting to regret everything. As I begin to submerge my whole foot in the water I could see my foot going red. It was that cold. Now the moment of truth will the boat float we slowly push the boat in the water, then we let go. It floats we scream as the lower half of our body freezes off.

Siennah Kean (7R)

As I was soaring through the air on the flying fox, I was slowly spinning around looking at the brilliant view of the tall green trees, the towering foggy mountains and the clear blue sky. The wind howled. I gripped the harness tightly and swung upside down. It was marvellous! I caught a glimpse of my shadow on the dry grass. It looked as if it was chasing me. I could see the tiny cabins and the huge dining hall. The wind whipped and bit into my face as the sun flashed and stung my eyes. I swung back upright. The rope was dangling limp like an earthworm hanging from the zipline. I sped towards it and reached out in preparation to grab it as I hurtled towards the rope and ladder. Finally, I reached out and grabbed it, slowing to a stop. It was over.

Shi Huan Tong (7R)

As I run towards the menacing mud pit, I glance towards my teammate Sienna. We grin at each other. I try to figure out how to get across the wobbly bridge. I think I have a plan. I’m half way across when suddenly, I fall into the freezing cold mud. My hand gets sucked down into the mud. It’s gritty and slimy. I squeal. Now for the cargo net. I shut my eyes so tightly, I don’t think I’ll ever get them open again. There’s mud in my ears, my nose, my mouth and my hair, but I can’t think about that now. We still have two obstacles to go. The rest is a blur of prickly grass, cheering friends and water.

“Wanna do it again?!” Sienna asks me.

“YEAH!!” I reply.

Poppy Paterson (7R)

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Year Eight Camp

The year 8 hike... Oh, the “horror” stories that I had heard. 30kms a day, having to go to the toilet in a hand dug hole and tinned tuna for every meal. Frankly, all my worries disappeared after I found out we had toilets. Leaving home for a week to go stay at the top of some mountain wasn’t something I had any experience in doing. Everyone was wondering about camp groups and looking forward to packing day, mostly because we had a day to slack off a tiny bit. Walking the highlands of Victoria was no walk in the park, well technically it was. Just like anything it had challenges, one of which was stomaching the porridge in the morning. Quick tip, put a handful of your trail mix in, especially if it has chocolate in it, I promise you it will taste 10 times better. The food wasn’t all tuna and there definitely wasn’t any shortage of food, on the first day at camp you try so hard to make sure you have heaps of food for Thursday and Friday but by the time Thursday comes around you are stuffed full of food and stuffing more in to make your pack lighter. We were literally gnawing our salami sticks as we walked.

Our group walked about 45kms over the 5 days. The first walk was a day walk with only drink bottles and rain coats in our packs approx. 5kms, around to Cope Hut. On day 3 we had another day walk, light packs, approx. 16kms, we walked down the alpine walking track and stopped to have lunch at a small, red topped hut next to mount Cope, Cope saddle hut. After Lunch we walked up Mount Cope. The view from the top was breath taking, looking out over the rolling hills, it really put into perspective how small you are. It’s one of those views I’ll never forget and want to go back and see whenever I can. Another sight I’ll never forget is the night sky. If your lucky enough to have a clear night, the stars burn so much brighter than in Bendigo. Without the light pollution you get in towns, the whole universe comes into view. I never thought the sky could look so spectacular. Thursday, we packed everything into our packs and walked with full packs about 16kms to Fitzpatrick Hut. The next morning our group and 3 other packed up everything and walked about 8kms to where the bus was picking us up. I remember being slightly annoyed *very annoyed, that the other groups didn’t have to walk that morning, the bus picked them up from camp. I had the most amazing experience at camp. My group was incredible, the food wasn’t half bad, and believe me, you didn’t go hungry. Look forward to it, it’s one of the highlights of high school and my life, I can not wait to go back.

Eliza Hauler (8A)

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Year Nine Camp Recount:

Urban Camp by Ashlyn Baird

On Monday 1st April it was finally time to go to camp. I was very excited and nervous all at the same time. I’m sure everyone else was excited too. Then it was on to the bus and we were heading off to Werribee Zoo. Its very fun seeing all the animals. After, it is time to go to the hotel and get ready for our first dinner. I went to Three Crowns Hotel on Monday. After a delicious dinner, its time to go back to the hotel and get ready for bed.

On Tuesday everyone is up and ready for a whole day of activities. Each day every group did two activities. One in the morning and another in the afternoon. I did the Csi (Victoria Police Museum) and the Street Art Tour. I think my favourite was the Street Art Tour because its fun seeing a lot of artworks on the walls. The CSI was also good because we figured out a fake crime scene. After all the activities are done its time to get ready for dinner. This time I went to a French Restaurant. I tried snails which is also known as Escargot and its actually not that bad. Then back to the hotel and its time to get ready for bed.

On Wednesday it’s time for more activities. I did the Blender Workshop and B2 and Shrine. My favourite was the Blender Workshop because we got to spray-paint pictures that we did ourselves. My least favourite out of all the activities was B2 and Shrine. We were put into groups which had about 4 to 5 people in each one and we were also given a booklet that we had to fill out with our group. My group walked for about an hour in the busy streets of Melbourne. Afterwards it’s time to get to the Shrine to meet up with everyone. Then once again its time to go back to the hotel and get ready for dinner. I went to Universal Pizza. After we went back to the hotel to go to bed.

On Thursday it was time for our last day of activities together in our groups. I did the Salvation Army Homelessness Workshop and Clip N Climb. My favourite was definitely Clip N Climb. In the morning we learnt all about homelessness and we also listened to a few stories about people who became homeless. Then in the afternoon its time for the last activity. Clip N Climb was so much fun. We were climbing up a lot of climbing walls. I was very nervous and excited all at the same time. After its time to go back to the hotel and get ready for dinner again. I had Spit Roast at the hotel. After that it was time to go to bed.

On Friday it was the last day of camp. It was very sad that camp came to an end, but I was very happy to see my parents after four days. But we did get to do something fun before we left. Everyone including me went to an inflatable park called Cable Park. Unfortunately I didn’t do it, but it was fun seeing everyone trying not to slip over. Soon it was time to go home. We got to the gym and got off the bus to see our parents.

Camp was very fun, and I loved all the activities. I especially liked the dinners. It’s a hard decision on what my favourite activity was but I chose Clip N Climb to be my favourite. And my favourite dinner was the French Dinner.

Ashlyn Baird (9R)

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Painting Process and Image Making - Camps Week

The Art component of Camps’ Week ran on the last day of camps week, following three days of Digital Photography. The art camp gave everyone the opportunity to develop new skills by basing the tasks on photographs that had been taken in the Digital Photography Camp.

Students learnt how to manipulate images that were traced from photocopies of two of their photographs. During the morning session students created finished artworks that were simplified shapes of buildings painted in flat bright acrylic colour with black felt-tip pen lines to enhance the colours used. The afternoon artworks involved cutting and reorganising images to create compositions that were then painted using vivid, almost jewel like, watercolours. Students enhanced their artwork by learning how to create gallery mounts. Part of the day’s work was also to display the mounted artwork on the hanging wires in the art room. Although the time was brief, much was accomplished by the students.

Please click on the images above to view the gallery

Photography Workshop - Camps Week

Mr Peter Weaving delivered the Digital Photography workshop over three days during Camps Week in term one again this year. This intensive program covers the history and future of photography with practical exercises and challenges. Students thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and were highly engaged taking photos, analyzing and discussing their work.

Discussion and skills practice regarding the use of the lens, focussing, exposure, composition, lighting and a myriad of practical tips gleaned from years experience were imparted. Students found this fascinating.

Mr Weaving’s skill and knowledge was invaluable for our students after working for Newspapers and Magazines for many years. Mrs Carol Knowles and John Phillips provided assistance and support for the students.

A range of equipment was discussed and students were able to use their own cameras whether it was a simple point and shoot camera, iPhone or a professional digital SLR camera.

Students were initially introduced to the history and evolution of photographic technology and processes. Optical experiments such as Camera obscura were investigated in a specially prepared space in the theatrette under low light.

Please click on the images above to view student work from the Camps Week Photography and Painting and Image Making group :

Benjamin Greiving, Dominique Cox, Amaan Sharif, Edward Weaver, Pol Gascon Nuñez, Leilani Babitu, Claire Filipovic, Angus Gill, Edward Weaver, Bailey Jones, Harrison Akins, Myra Muhammad, Uros Babovic

Astra