Holy Cross Happenings
Year 5/6 Camp – Phillip Island
On Wednesday 10th September, our excited Year 5 and 6 students boarded two buses and set off for their two-night adventure to Phillip Island.
Our first stop was Koo Wee Rup for morning tea, where the playground provided some fun and a chance to stretch our legs (teachers wisely only using the spinning play equipment for photo opportunities!). Soon after, we arrived at our destination: CYC Phillip Island Adventure Resort. This was our second camp at CYC, and once again we were so impressed with the facilities, food, and especially the staff. Nothing was ever too much trouble. We were particularly grateful to Yvonne, who made even duty groups enjoyable — the children spoke warmly of her throughout camp, and when Eoin delivered a thank-you speech on our final night, Yvonne herself was moved to tears.
Once we’d settled in, our first outing was a walk to Smith’s Beach. The sandcastle competition sparked some serious creativity and made judging very difficult! After an early dinner, we travelled to the Penguin Parade, always a camp highlight. Rugged up in coats and beanies, the students watched the little penguins waddle from the ocean to their burrows, even spotting a few chicks. Experiencing these seabirds in their natural habitat was not only magical but also reinforced the children’s passion for protecting the environment.
The next day was action-packed, with five activity rotations: canoeing, low ropes, the giant swing, archery, and the twin flying fox. It was wonderful to see students challenge themselves, show resilience, and support each other through new experiences. Many were proud of stepping outside their comfort zones, and the encouragement and celebration among peers made it even more rewarding.
A huge thank you to our dedicated staff who gave so much of their time and energy to ensure a safe and memorable camp for all 66 students. It is no small responsibility, and we are especially grateful for the personal sacrifices made, including Tracey McKenna, who even missed her son’s 21st birthday to be with us.
Families will also be proud to hear that every cabin group passed their inspections with flying colours! While the insides of bags may remain a mystery, the rooms themselves were neat, tidy, and organised ,very impressive.
Overall, the Year 5/6 camp was a wonderful success. The children represented themselves and their families with excellent manners, teamwork, and kindness. They return not only with special memories of time spent with friends but also with new skills, confidence, and a sense of pride in their achievements.
SRC Update
Our Student Representative Council (SRC) recently met to discuss feedback from their classes about where they feel we need to focus our energy to improve our school. The students’ ideas were narrowed to two key areas: improving the lining-up routine and enhancing classroom behaviour. They want to set clear expectations and recognise students who line up well, possibly with a new house points system starting next term. They also shared a desire to improve classroom behaviour ensuring school-wide expectations are consistent for everyone. These excellent ideas came directly from student conversations about creating a safer and more effective learning environment for all.
We also gathered feedback from students about our recent Feast Day, and the response was overwhelmingly positive! Students particularly enjoyed the collaborative activities designed to help them extend their friendship groups and get to know one another. They appreciated the variety of the day’s activities, which offered something for everyone, and, of course, the shared lunch. We are thrilled to see how much they valued connecting with their peers, and we plan to seek further opportunities for this in the future.
Tennis
On Thursday, our students competed in the Hot Shots Tennis competition in Macedon. They did an incredible job, adapting well to the different rules of the game. Other attendees even commented on how well our students represented the school. Great work, everyone!
