school life 

Middles Remote Camp Week 

Last week the middles took part in the very first BNWPS at home camp week, and oh boy did they have some fun! While there was initial disappointment from kids and teachers alike (big kids at heart) that we would be missing out on the amazing experience that is camp week, the tears were short lived as the Middles proved it’s not the situation but what you make of it that counts. 

As we know camp is an excellent time for students to build independence, resilience, problem solving skills, collaborative abilities, and to engage with the world around them. With this in mind, we wanted to create a range of activities across the curriculum to get them up, moving, and out from in front of their screens. Families and Siblings were of course also welcome to take a little outdoor time and join in the camp festivities as well.   

Throughout the week our Middles demonstrated their amazing outdoor, creative, and problem-solving skills partaking in a range of at home camp activities. There was many a spooky story told, outdoor cooking experiences, the Smores were a particularly popular choice : ), great ingenuity shown in the building of Flying Foxes and even high ropes courses for our furry friends and toys, star gazing, insect exploring and so many more amazing activities that the students participated in with enthusiasm and gusto. 

Not one’s to shy away from a challenge we certainly loved seeing the commitment student took in truly recreating the camp experience, with many choosing to build tents, cubbies, and lean-tos which they called ‘home’ for the week. Back yards, bedrooms, and dining spaces were transformed into campgrounds, teleconferences were undertaken in sleeping bags, pj’s and outdoor camping attire. One particularly adventurous student even camped in their backyard for the week, determined to only venture inside for bathroom and bathing breaks!  

The Middles teachers want to say what a truly amazing week it was and how proud we are of all the effort each of the student’s put in to creating what might have been a very different, but extremely memorable year level experience. Well done everyone you have shown that you can truly turn any situation into one of connection, resilience, and fun!  

The Jungle by Max Williamson 

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I was lost in the jungle. I had no resources, no food and no water.

I was all alone. It was starting to get dark, I did not like this. I did not like this at all. 

Suddenly, I heard a hissing sound. Then it turned into a roar. My heart was pounding.

By this time, it was dark, really dark. I could just make out the shape of a huge creature then I realised it was coming towards me. 

I started to panic, I was scared. I ran and ran with all my might. I turned round to see it was catching up to me. I kept running until I realised there were more, about five of them.

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Then I noticed I was surrounded. I was trapped. Suddenly, I saw a flashlight on the ground. I picked it up and pointed it at one of the creatures. 

It was a bear! I was relieved, but they were still hungry.

Then, the flashlight went out. It was out of battery. Then I heard the sound of a helicopter and it was coming towards me. I felt good, but I still had to deal with the bears.

I noticed a buzzing sound. I walked forward to investigate. They were bees, I am pretty sure.

The moon was out and in the moonlight I saw a beehive in a tree. I picked up five sticks and began to climb the tree. 

I was nearly there. I pointed my sticks at the hive, and got some honey on the sticks. while the helicopter was landing the bears were distracted because of the helicopter. 

I climbed down and put the sticks in different places. The bears got so confused about the five bits of honey that they forgot about me.

I quickly ran to the helicopter and got in. I was going home… 

TO BE CONTINUED