A break from Brunswick
Year 7 Camp
Jen Simkus
Year Level Coordinator (YLC) - Year 7
After a busy term settling in, finding new friends and becoming familiar with life at BSC, our Year 7 cohort enjoyed a well-earned break from Brunswick. Students attended Lady Northcote Recreation Camp, a YMCA facility situated at picturesque Rowsley - just an hour or so west of Melbourne.
Camp is an important milestone in Year 7, as it provides the chance for the cohort to become more connected. At school, students are nurtured within Home Groups, mixing together via language classes or cocurricular program activities. At camp, students have opportunity to mix with a wider group of peers which enables them to expand their friendship groups and develop respectful relationships with teachers. This experience underpins a sense of belonging within their school community and in turn enhances their engagement with the learning environment.
Many students endeavoured to make the most of every activity on camp - challenging themselves to overcome nerves, inexperience or fear of failure as they tackled the various tasks and activities. The camp was an exercise in enhancing life skills - most notably resilience and independence. Students need these skills as they mature, both within Brunswick and beyond.
Staging the camp has not been without its challenges - given staff shortages and other covid impacts, but due to the extraordinary commitment and support of teachers and Education Support staff, the Year 7 camp was a success. Many thanks to all these staff for investing their time and enthusiasm to ensure that students had the opportunity of this invaluable experience.
Emily Doyle
Assistant YLC - Year 7
What a great time we had on camp!
After our lockdown experiences, it was awesome to get out of town. Students really enjoyed being out in the fresh air, keen to get into activities. They especially worked well in the group activities - learning skills in collaboration, leadership and teamwork. More importantly, it was great to see them making more connections across their year level, and getting to know teachers and support staff as well. Staff also enjoyed the chance to get to know their students a little better, on a less formal basis and away from the classroom, sharing jokes and experiences together.
Max Meek
I enjoyed the giant swing - I went about 3/4 to the top, and the drop really took me by surprise! I have made new friends that I didn't know before - there are a lot more students in Year 7 than i thought! Camp is a great way to meet them all.
Lily Fang
One of the highlights of the camp was sharing donuts with my friends in the cabin. It was great to be laughing and talking together - enjoying each others company!
Nathan Lui
The high ropes course was too high and the low ropes course was too low! It is nice to be out of the city. It is quiet here and I get a break from my sister.