Out and About
Service Trip:
Indonesia
On Monday, 30 September a group of thirteen enthusiastic students and staff embarked on a memorable service trip to North Sumatra, Indonesia. There was so much excitement as the group departed for a journey that had been months in the making. After some smooth and enjoyable flights, the group touched down in Singapore before heading to Medan, North Sumatra. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the vibrant heat, humidity, and bustling energy of Indonesia.
Following a restful night in Medan, the team was warmly welcomed by our three sister schools; the primary reason for the visit. Meeting together brought immense joy to everyone, whether it was a first encounter or a heartfelt reunion.
From Medan, the group traveled to Pematangsiantar, the city where we would spend most of our time, and settled into our accommodations.
Over the next four days, the group visited the sister schools, deepening connections with both students and staff. Endeavour College students proudly showcased their talents through songs and dances they had prepared beforehand. In return, they participated in games and sports activities with their Indonesian peers. One of the most rewarding experiences was teaching English to students of different year levels. Each Endeavour student rose to the challenge, adapting their teaching styles to the needs of the learners. Teachers were impressed by their students’ efforts and proud of how they embraced this opportunity.
On Sunday the students found great joy in attending church in Indonesia, where they were warmly embraced by the local congregation. Witnessing the service, filled with heartfelt worship and a deep sense of community, was a special moment for the group. As part of the experience, the students had the opportunity to perform a couple of gospel songs, which brought smiles to everyone’s faces and further strengthened the bond between the two communities. The uplifting atmosphere and shared faith made the church service a memorable highlight of our trip.
After several days of meaningful service, the group took time to reflect on their journey with a visit to Lake Toba on Samosir Island, a renowned tourist destination in North Sumatra. On the island, they journaled and shared stories, exchanging personal reflections on their experiences. In addition to their reflective moments, they explored cultural landmarks, browsed traditional markets, and immersed themselves in the island's beauty. Their adventure continued with a trek in Bukit Lawang, where they were overjoyed to encounter an orangutan in its natural habitat.
As their journey ended, the group made the most of a 12-hour layover in Singapore with a fun-filled visit to Universal Studios. It was the perfect way to bond and share the many experiences and memories they had collected throughout their service trip. This exciting service trip was an experience they will cherish for years to come.
Helen Carter
Service Learning Leader
Out and About in Melbourne:
The 2024 Year 11 Camp
This year’s Year 11 camp to Melbourne provided students with the opportunity to explore and experience leadership beyond the college grounds. Alongside staff-led morning devotions and evening activities, students ventured around the Melbourne CBD to learn about leadership in various fields and to develop their own leadership skills.
A visit to The Big Issue Classroom allowed students to understand marginalisation and homelessness, offering an eye-opening experience for many. At the Shrine of Remembrance, we paid respects to leaders at both national and local levels for their service and commitment during World War I, World War II, and other conflicts.
Students participated in optional activities based on their interests, which also highlighted leadership in areas such as sustainability, ecosystem management, industrial contributions, sports, horticulture, entertainment, and history. These activities included visits to the aquarium, the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Zoo, Eureka Tower and Skydeck, the Old Melbourne Gaol, Melbourne Museum, the Arts Centre, ACMI, and the Lindsay Fox Motor Museum, among others.
We were also fortunate to visit the MCG during AFL Grand Final week!
Thank-you to all staff that attended and supported this event.
Here are what the students thought:
Big Issue Classroom
“Wednesday morning of camp my group and I departed from CYC city through pouring Melbourne rain to the Big Issue Classroom. When we had finally made it to the venue, we were talked to about the big issue of homelessness, particularly homelessness involving disability. This particular issue hit close to home, especially with me personally dealing with a disability. It reminded me of what I take for granted, whether that be my friends, my parents or my teachers. Reflecting back, I can also make mention of the fact that even though my group and I were uncomfortable being wet due to the rain, it was at least temporary, whereas for some people in unfortunate circumstances it would not have been such a temporary event. Overall, the Big Issue Classroom was rather eye-opening and revealed that not everyone who is homeless is homeless due to their own decisions, and such conditions must be considered before you judge someone.”
Nathan Magee
Shrine of Remembrance
“Visiting the Shrine of Remembrance was a powerful and reflective experience, as we walked through the monument dedicated to honouring Australia’s fallen soldiers. The solemn atmosphere and detailed exhibits gave us a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made throughout the nation’s history.”
Kaitlin Houlahan
Lindsay Fox Motor Museum
“The Lindsay Fox Motor Museum was an amazing experience. It isn’t everyday you get the chance to see an extensive collection of cars, from classics built in the 1930s to brand new high end luxury sports cars, and even Peter Brocks VK Commodore. The tour guide was a very friendly knowledgeable person and was always open for a conversation, the friendly people really put out a good reputation for the museum. Highly recommend it for anyone interested in cars or even those who enjoy a different experience.”
Jim Kutija
MCG
“The MCG tour was easily my favourite activity on camp. It was so cool to be able to walk into the place where so much sporting history was made, and where many of my childhood idols played their biggest games. As a part of the tour, we were able to go to the MCG sports museum where hundreds of pieces of sporting history were on display. The experience was special to me especially as someone who grew up loving sports and the magic of the MCG.” Tristan Hitch
Old Melbourne Gaol
“One of the most fun and memorable parts of the Gaol visit was the role-play where we were treated like inmates. From being marched in and ‘processed’ to walking through cells, the whole experience was immersive and gave us a glimpse of what it might have felt like to be held there. It was an engaging and light-hearted way to explore a serious part of history.”
Lily Garrick
Eureka Skydeck
“On camp, we were lucky to get an exclusive early visit to the Melbourne Skydeck, enjoying the breathtaking views before it opened to the public. We also had the opportunity to do the 'Edge Experience' at the Skydeck which was thrilling as we stepped out into a glass cube, suspended high above the city, feeling a rush of excitement and awe as the views unfolded beneath our feet.”
Kaitlin Houlahan
Victoria Markets
“I participated in attending the Victoria Markets on camp, this experience was considerably enjoyable as there was a variety of stalls including, clothing, and food which we had the of freedom exploring. This was a highlight of the week as I was able to connect with friends and try out new cuisines. I am thankful for this experience and recommend the Year 11s next year to attend.”
Dena Rawashdeh
Lauren Gray
Year 11 Year Level Leader
Drama Excursions:
The Puzzle and Grease the Musical
Since finishing the senior drama major production Momentos Fantasmas, we've been to see two performances . We saw the State Theatre Company's Production of “The Puzzle” which was special for us senior drama students as we got to see old scholar Ahunim Abebe (class of 2017) who was cast in this production. This show allowed us to look into the future and see what opportunities Drama and the creative arts can provide. We hope that we see more Endeavour College old scholars in state theatre company productions in the years to come.
On Sunday night we saw our final stage show of the year, Grease the Musical. This show is a traditional musical that all ages can enjoy, and we most definitely did. The show had incredible costumes, set design, music and choreography. This show was a full circle moment for our Year 12 drama students as back in Year 10 we did our own version of Grease the Musical for our assignment. It was amazing to be able to sing these songs with my classmates and remember back to when we performed together.
We are again so thankful for the drama department and Mr Richards for the opportunities we have had in our time here at Endeavour College.
Chloe Schmidt
Year 12 Drama Leader