Year 7 Camp Coolamatong

At the end of last term, our Year 7 students headed off to Camp Coolamatong for an unforgettable week of adventure, growth, and community-building. The theme for camp was Belonging, and throughout the week students explored what it means to belong to God, to each other, and to our school community. Camp leaders tied devotions and activities to the powerful truth that God loves us, so we love others; God supports us, so we support others; God accepts us, so we accept others.

Students embraced a wide range of outdoor adventures, including paddle boarding, bike riding, rafting, canoeing, climbing, archery, night walks, and a special boat trip to 90 Mile Beach. It was wonderful to see students stepping out of their comfort zones, encouraging one another, and forming stronger bonds. Camp Coolamatong was a joyful and faith-filled experience that helped lay strong foundations for the year ahead.

Kate Weekes

Secondary Teacher & Year 7 Coordinator

Student Reflections:

Before: As I stare out into the deep, steady ocean, a bright flutter of realisation approaches me from within, reminding me where I am headed. Camp. One word, yet a thousand meanings—mixed emotions and flashbacks and so, so much excitement I can barely breathe. And sooner rather than later, we would arrive.

After: Exhaustion. Pure exhaustion, satisfaction, exhilaration, and gratitude—all of these feelings pulsed rapidly through my veins. Camp was a truly unforgettable experience, and we learnt so much about the environment, each other, and ourselves while doing educational, interactive activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, night walks, bike riding, archery, and rock climbing. It was so much fun and made even better by our teachers.

Gabi D 7C

Camp was amazing. I had lots of fun playing with my friends, and I enjoyed doing stand-up paddleboarding the most. I liked stand-up paddleboarding because it was really chill and easy. At the end of our stand-up paddleboarding session, we played a game called Gladiators, which is a game where we would stand on the paddleboard with someone else. There would be someone supporting the board, and the two people would be at different ends of the board. On the count of three, we would push each other off. When I did it, I went up against Eli, and he instantly spear tackled me, it was really funny.

I enjoyed the way they connected everything with God, it was a fun way of doing it. The camp leaders were very fun, and they made it even better.

Elliot M 7C