Duke of Edinburgh 2024 

Lunchtime Activities - Term 4

We would like to acknowledge and celebrate the impressive efforts of our Year 9 Duke of Ed students who recently took the lead in planning and organising a range of lunchtime activities for our Year 7 students. 

The events, designed to foster community spirit and connectedness, were a resounding success, featuring a variety of engaging activities such as 3v3 basketball and skills challenges, mega volleyball, soccer tournaments and a range of well-known carnival games.  These activities provided a fun and inclusive space for Years 7 and 9 students to connect, be active and enjoy some healthy competition. 

By targeting multiple dimensions of health and wellbeing, from physical activity to social interaction, the Year 9s created a fun and supportive environment for Year 7s. Their initiative not only helped students stay active but also contributed to a stronger sense of belonging and community within the school. We are proud of the leadership, creativity, and teamwork displayed by our Year 9 students and the positive impact they have made on their younger peers. This event highlights the power of student-led initiatives in promoting wellbeing and fostering a sense of unity within our school community. 

In October, Year 9 students attended the Duke of Edinburgh Wilsons Promontory hiking camp and completed the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award. 

The four groups set off on Tuesday 16th October, from one of two locations, Telegraph Saddle or Tidal River and returned on the Friday.  Their journey encompassed walking over 35 kilometres carrying food, tents, clothing and other equipment in their backpacks. 

Throughout the camp students developed their outdoor living skills including cooking on Trangia stoves, setting up a tent, travelling as a group and navigating using a compass.

The groups were treated to stunning weather during the day as they walked along pristine beaches and up mountains. 

Throughout the different stages of the hike, all students were challenged one way or another, however they demonstrated outstanding resilience to overcome the difficulties they faced.   We were very fortunate we didn't need to apply the lightning policy as the storm blew entirely over Wilsons Promontory National Park . 

All students should be very proud of their planning and preparation that allowed them to have such a successful camp.  

A big thank you to Mr Jihan Heenkenda, Mr Jarrod Nicholson, Mr David Morris and Ms Lauren Van Der Westhuizen for attending the camp.