Around the School (1 of 2) 

YEAR 5/6 CAMP 

By Leo Wanders (Year 5/6 Team Leader) 

Can you conceive a conglomeration of cute kids converging on a campsite connected to a cold current colliding with a capacious copse for a cracking camp? Or did you ever dream of a delegation of determined dudes and dudettes dancing their way down to a down current delivering dirty-looking downpours directly beside a dense forest ready to deliver the most delirious of events? 

Well, the recent 5/6 camp, expertly choreographed by Miss Noy and performed by the 5/6 team with extras, was just that. 

Our enthusiastic band of merry boys and girls laughed and activity-ed themselves through 4 days of drizzle, rain, cold, fun, challenges and a 312 metre flying fox. The highlights were many, the low lights few, friendships were strengthened and some new ones forged. Under the care of teachers, learning assistants and parent helpers (God love them) many fears we reconquered as the children rose to the challenges that were presented to them by the activities. 

The 5/6’s weathered the storm of being without parents and siblings for four days. For many, this was the first time they had been away from their families for more than one night. For others it was their first ever school camp. AND DID THEY SHINE!!! 

The energy levels were off the charts, the creativity was rampant, the dancing was epic, the performing was just as epic and the food bountiful. And, at the end of Friday, after a safe arrival back at school, well, I don’t know what they did but we collapsed into our beds, thoroughly exhausted, but filled with great memories of the 5/6 Camp, 2022.

BOOK WEEK

By Anita Little (Discovery Centre Coordinator) 

Stories are fabulous. When Jesus talked with people, he often shared stories. 

For us, Book Week is a great opportunity to celebrate books and the stories they hold. Dr Rudine Sims Bishop talks about how books can be windows and mirrors to help children learn about themselves and the world. They can provide a window into another culture, place or time or books can act as a mirror, reflecting and affirming the child’s world and allowing them to see themselves as part of a larger community. As students grow, they understand and develop their own life stories – past, present and future. 

This year’s Book Week theme was Dreaming with eyes open. Students wrote their dreams on the Discovery Centre windows, sharing their hopes for the future, their friends and our world. They also got creative by dreaming up new inventions and even some new animals!

During the week Junior and Middle School students tested out their book knowledge with a Book Week Kahoot (Quiz!). There was ample friendly competition and loud cheering over the two lunchtimes. They also let their imaginations run free by designing or re-designing covers for some of our books. 

The celebrations culminated in dress-up day and costume parade on Friday. Thanks to all the students and parents for their planning and efforts, the students looked AMAZING! Many thanks to everyone who donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, it was a joy to be able to share our love of all things bookish by donating over $200.

Thanks for your enthusiasm, we look forward to sharing many more stories together!