Year 9 Camp

Camp highlights

Early on Monday, 17 August, 153 Year 9 Students and 10 SNC staff members set off to The Outdoor Education Group Camp site in Karridale/Hamelin Bay. With a mix of emotions amongst students, we were excited to see what the next four days would bring. 

Year 9 Camp provides an excellent opportunity for students of varying experience and levels of confidence to come together in a supportive environment, and for students and staff to build positive relationships in an extended social setting.

This program evolves around community living where the students are responsible for their group throughout the camp. The Outdoor Education Group runs the program with the St Norbert staff being included in their groups as active members of the small community. The basics of campcraft were reinforced with students being completely self-efficient, living in tents and cooking on stoves and barbecues for the four days. 

While on camp students had the opportunity to participate in various adventure activities such as abseiling from cliff faces, starting with small “nursery” cliffs through to higher, more exposed cliffs at the WI 16 site. At Giants Cave in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, students made their way through the underground world by torchlight, learning about the ancient and fragile environment. 

A crowd favourite, the high ropes course set amongst the trees in the magnificent karri forest, saw students making their way through a network of wires, bridges and swings set 9-12m above the ground. As their team mates maintained the safety system below, students were challenged both mentally and physically. 

Team work, communication and problem-solving skills were put to the test during the low ropes course and the blind trail. Students began to bond, gain trust and really work together to complete the challenges. Over the four days students acquired the skills of orienteering as they took part in many expeditions. They used compasses and maps to navigate their way through the forest.

Although challenging as a collective, the students had an amazing time. Some experienced the great outdoors for the first time and had the opportunity to experience things that they perhaps may never have the opportunity to do again. Here’s what some of the Year 9 students had to say about their experience:

“Camp was a really great time. I was able to talk to people I normally wouldn't have and everybody was very friendly. The activities were unique and although hiking was gruelling, I made some great memories. We had to do a lot of work ourselves, rather than relying on others to do it for us. The food was much better than expected, opening with burgers and hotdogs. Gathering with others around the campfire was also a great experience”.                                                                                                                                                                   Jean Valdez

​“The best part about camp was caving. I really enjoyed turning our head torches off in the ballroom and being completely quiet so that we couldn't see or hear anything but still being aware of where your body is”.                                                                  Taine Rangitoheriri

“For me camp was a great experience, my group was so good we had three birthdays in a row and we all worked so well together. My favourite part was playing "Mafia" on the first night around the camp fire”  .                                                                                               Kyra Daltyn

A huge thank you to the St Norbert College staff Miss Alban, Mr Dowling, Mr Houwen, Miss Bell, Miss Karis Hughes, Miss Maddison Hughes, Miss Muir, Mr Hulshoff and Mr Ò Gradaigh for making the experience possible. 

Miss K Isard (Year 9 Camp Co-ordinator)