Primary Happenings
Year 2: Camp Day
Anna Starchenko, Year 2 Team Leader
Our Year 2 Camp Day at Mt Evelyn Discovery Camp was a memorable experience filled with outdoor adventure, physical challenges and practical learning. The day began early, with plenty of excitement as students boarded the buses and set off for the camp.
Throughout the day, students participated in a range of activities including team-building games and learning new outdoor skills. Each activity encouraged students to collaborate, solve problems together and support one another.
Being outdoors also provided a meaningful opportunity to apply the key ideas from our Term 1 Inquiry Unit, Healthy Me, You, Us. Students practised making safe and inclusive choices, showed resilience when faced with challenges, and reflected on God’s creation in nature and our responsibility to care for the environment. Many students also demonstrated emerging leadership skills by encouraging others and taking initiative within their small groups.
Overall, the Year 2 Camp Day was a valuable shared experience for the cohort. Students embraced many of the challenges and created wonderful memories. We pray the day helps to build excitement and confidence for future camp experiences as they continue to grow into capable, compassionate and resilient young people.
Year 5: Forest Edge Camp
Hannah Simpkins, Year 5 Camp Coordinator
The buzz of excitement was palpable as Year 5 students arrived at school on Monday morning, eager to board the bus and begin their Adventure at Forest Edge Camp.
Our students threw themselves into an action packed program at camp. Mountain boarding and river sledding challenged their balance and endurance, while archery and disc golf put their focus and aim to the test. Through hut building and the low ropes course, students developed their teamwork skills and creativity. After conquering both the crate climb and the rock climbing wall, many are now proud to call themselves expert climbers (and belayers)!
The fun wasn’t just limited to our activity groups either. We had morning devotions and worship sessions led by Mr Heng and some of our Year 5 students, helping us to put God first at the beginning of our day. The evenings were just as memorable. The first night featured an energetic glow stick hunt, while the second night brought colour and creativity with a dress up parade, followed by a highly spirited trivia night.
The Year 5 teachers are so proud of how our students showed grit and resilience, pushing the limits of their comfort zones and trying new things. It was wonderful to see new friendship connections being formed and encouraging words being spoken over each other as students supported their group members through both the fun and challenging moments!
We are so thankful to God for an incredible few days at camp together, with excellent weather, amazing parent volunteers, and for the memories made that will last long after the bus ride home!
Senior Primary: Athletics Day
Ingrid Briggs, Scott Rees and Bryce Morgan, Primary PE Teachers
There was a real buzz of excitement last Thursday, as our festive and brightly dressed Year 3–6 students competed in the Senior Primary Athletics Carnival at Doncaster Athletics Track. There were pom-poms, balloons, drums and colourful tutus during each of the very well-choreographed and enthusiastic house chants, with Burrows taking out the early win! Congratulations to each of our House Captains for preparing and leading their teams with confidence and passion!
The conditions were perfect for a wonderful day of sprinting, jumping, and throwing with each student eagerly competing in a minimum of four events across the day. Beyond the competition, the carnival provided a valuable opportunity to build teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship, while also celebrating the unique gifts God has given each student. It was wonderful to witness the encouragement and support students showed one another as they cheered loudly from the grandstand!
An incredible eight college records were broken on the day:
- Timothy Baldwin (12/13YO 1500m race)
- Delia Coffey (11YO 800m race)
- Chevonne Low (11YO 200m race)
- Genevieve Fleming-Cull (8/9YO Triple Jump)
- Noah Hii (10YO Discus)
- Maddie Hadley (11YO Discus)
- Zoe Patten (12/13YO Discus)
Sebastian Botha (12/13YO Discus)
Thank you to all our Senior Primary staff, parent volunteers and secondary students who worked together to support our students at events throughout the day; and to Friends of Donvale for coordinating the coffee van & providing students with a sweet treat to celebrate the day. A special shout out to the Patten Family for pinning thousands of ribbons in preparation for the Carnival. We are very grateful for such an engaging and supportive community at DCC!
Congratulations to FLYNN House for winning the Championship House Trophy for the first time in 14 years; and to Zoe P, Noah K and Alexander A for their passionate leadership and team spirit!
Our Junior Primary students will be competing in their House Athletics Carnival at DCC next Tuesday 31st March!