Year 12 Outdoor Education

Rottnest Island Camp

The Year 12 Outdoor Education students recently embarked on an exciting camp to Rottnest Island, departing from Hillarys on Monday of Week 7. With ideal conditions and high spirits, the group looked forward to a week of challenge, exploration and shared experiences. 

Upon arrival, students made their way to the campground where they worked collaboratively to set up their tents and establish a well-organised campsite. This provided an excellent opportunity to demonstrate independence, teamwork and practical outdoor living skills.

The first afternoon saw students take full advantage of Rottnest’s stunning coastline, completing two snorkelling sessions at Pinky Beach and The Basin. In clear conditions, students observed a variety of marine life while developing their confidence and competence in open water snorkelling. The day concluded with an enjoyable evening of fishing, allowing students to relax and reflect on a successful start to the camp.

Day 2 presented more challenging conditions, with strong winds restricting activities to the northern side of the island. Despite this, students embraced the opportunity to further develop their snorkelling skills through three sessions at Little Parakeet Bay, Parakeet Bay, and Little Armstrong Bay. As the winds intensified in the afternoon, the group shifted focus and competed in a Rottnest Island Amazing Race, which provided a fun and engaging way to build teamwork, problem-solving and communication skills.

On Day 3, students efficiently packed down camp before engaging in a historical visit to the Oliver Hill Battery, where they gained insight into the island’s military history. The group then returned to the mainland via ferry, concluding a rewarding and memorable experience.

Over the course of the expedition, students demonstrated significant growth in their confidence in the water and their snorkelling abilities, while also developing their camping and broader outdoor education skills. The camp provided valuable opportunities for students to challenge themselves, support one another and build resilience.

The College extends its thanks to Mr Logan, Mr Donaldson, Miss Hodgson, Matthew Schultz and Josh Hale for their dedication and support in ensuring the success of the camp.

Ross Websdale

Teaching Staff