Yr 8 Camps at Thomas Boyd Trackhead & Buddong Falls

The final week of Term 1 was a special time for our Year 8 students. Our students were split between camps at the Thomas Boyd Trackhead on the Goobragandra River and Buddong Falls above Talbingo. Students were given the option of a ‘Base Camp’ set up at Thomas Boyd or a true hiking experience to Buddong Falls.

Thomas Boyd Trackhead

Students who attended the Thomas Boyd experience had an opportunity to build independence, commencing with their first task of setting up their tents at the camping site. Students were responsible for organising their own meals and they rose to the challenge of this. There were a variety of team bonding activities to participate in and the students demonstrated a great deal of comradery, maturity and care for each other while navigating these challenges. In the evening, the groups enjoyed a night walk and a campfire under a brilliant night sky. The theme of the camp was making better connections, including feeling our connection to the earth, and this was encouraged in the tranquil surrounds of the campsite, assisted through the lack of phone coverage.

Many thanks to Mrs Green for her organisation and the dedicated staff who attended the camp, making this experience possible for our students.

Christie Scoble (Assistant Principal) on behalf of Kerrie Green (Academic Care & Wellbeing Coordinator)

________________________________________________

Buddong Falls

The weather was fantastic, with mild nights taking the chill off after dark activities. The Buddong Falls trekkers did a fantastic job in organising, packing and carrying all their gear necessary for their hike. For most, this was their first real experience trekking/hiking/tramping (if you are a Kiwi), and cooking on an open fire proved very exciting for many. Trekking, setting up tents, collecting firewood and water and choosing and cooking meals all required our students to cooperate, problem solve, show tolerance and acceptance, all while working as teams built around their respective tent groups.

Nature was enjoyed in its finest with the beautiful eucalypt forest of the Kosciuszko National Park and Bago State Forest, the magnificent Buddong Falls and the trek along the Hume and Hovell Walking Track setting a spectacular backdrop for our intrepid trekkers. I would like to personally thank all of the students who took the risk of trekking and especially would like to thank Mrs Angie Cooper for spending the three days with us and making it such an enjoyable time for all.

Peter Gaffney | Trip Organiser