Dunlop News

Annual Retreat

Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st of April saw the year 11 Dunlop cluster embark on its annual retreat. As we set off from the college the students were eager to reach Lady Northcote camp and see what the 2 days had in store for them. Upon reaching our destination students settled in to their lodges quickly assigning top bunks. We all had the privilege of listening to the inspirational story of, Michelle Newland, a past student of CRC Sydenham who told her heroic story, who with the help of her family and faith was able to overcome enormous obstacles and great adversity.  She has gone on to become a spokeswoman and ambassador for the Summer Foundation which advocates for change which will prevent young people with disabilities having to live in aged care facilities. 

Next, the students broke off into their groups to rotate through a series of activities aimed at building resilience, promoting team work and fostering a sense of cluster spirit! Dunlop students rotated through a series of challenges which included making a raft from scratch and staying dry while they put their creations to test on the dam, taking the ‘leap of faith’ which saw them scale a seven metre pole and project themselves off of it, a cross country mountain biking experience which saw them navigate the rough terrain of the Lady Northcote and a high ropes course to name a few.

As a whole, the cluster worked brilliantly to ensure each and every person was able to achieve their maximum potential, supporting each other through the activities and furthering the bonds and friendships formed in the cluster up to this point.  As ever, retreat was a great success and the behaviour and participation of each and every year 11 Dunlop student was exemplary.