Secondary News

On Reflection

On Thursday, Week 9, the Kenya team of 38 participants across the three Tyndale Schools, started their three-week adventure, involving our very own Montana How & Taryn Connor in Year 11 with Mrs Grivell, our Reception teacher.

They departed Adelaide bound for Johannesburg before continuing on to Nairobi, where they stayed for two nights. In Nairobi they had the opportunity to feed the Giraffes. They also visited a bead factory which employs 300 destitute women. Lots of bracelets, necklaces and trinkets were brought by the team.

From Nairobi the team travelled to Lake Nakuru National Park. They have seen White and Black Rhino, Giraffe, Buffalo, Hyena, Zebra, Warthog, Baboon, Monkeys and many types of Antelope. The team has been blessed by glorious weather. From here the team will travel to Eldoret.

As I follow the Kenya team, I am reminded how important it is we look out for the needy in our own community. In Proverbs 19: 17 it says “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done”, whilst in Proverbs 22: 9 we are told “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor”. We don’t need to look too far to find those needs in our own community. I look at the work the Pantry Club does within the local Strathalbyn Community in conjunction with the local churches. They are out there ensuring that families have access to the basic essentials for their day to day living. It is a great cause. I encourage you to find a need in your local community and give generously to it.

God bless,

Mr Nicholas Simons

Pastoral Care Leader – Secondary

Year 9 Mt Lofty Hike

On Tuesday 18 June, the Year 9 boys and girls Rite Journey classes tackled Mt. Lofty.

The boys were dropped off by bus at the summit and the girls were dropped off at Waterfall Gully at the bottom. After a look at the view from the summit, the boys began the 8km descent, with Mr McGowan and Mr Leigh. Several of the group were very keen and trekked on ahead into the wilderness, while others took a more leisurely pace.

Meanwhile, the girls began the gruelling 8km hike to the top of the mountain, and together with Miss Milne and Miss Butler, they set off on the adventure.

As the boys hiked down the mountain, they came across many diversions in the track, which had been re-routed for maintenance. After navigating their way down a different path, they continued their journey. At one of the re-routes Mr Leigh tried to jump across a very large puddle and hadn’t realised that the very clever Year 9 boys had found a much easier way around it!

The scenery along the way was very good and we came across some excellent photo opportunities such as the creeks and waterfalls.

“When I was walking down Mount Lofty, I found that it was nice just to walk, talk and catch up with friends. The view was great, and the air was so fresh.” – Hunter Collingwood

“I enjoyed walking up Mount Lofty even when it got a bit difficult. It was hard at first, but it got easier the further I went.” - Madison van Kaathoven

“What I realised when I was climbing Mount Lofty is that you can do anything if you set your mind to it. It was as incredible experience with the amazing views of the forest all around you. Once I reached the top of the mountain, I felt like I had accomplished something huge.” - Shaneika Falzon

When the boys reached Waterfall Gully at the bottom, they stopped for a brief rest, had a snack, and after confusing a certain student with a council worker, they charged back up the mountain.

While the girls were sitting in the café at the summit enjoying hot chocolates and the like, the boys were completing the final stage of the trek. It took about an hour and a half to get back up the mountain. When the top was reached, many of us had very sore leg muscles!

A great effort was put in by all.

“It was challenging, but I really enjoyed it. It was such a great feeling reaching the top knowing what I had accomplished.” - Emily Bishop

On the way back to school a stop was made at McDonalds (and KFC) for lunch which was well-needed.