Alternate Programs

Welcome to the second last newsletter article for 2025. A reminder about the final date for specific classes:

• Senior classes - Friday 28 November

• Junior classes - Friday 5 December

McKenzie Creek students are able to attend final week activities on main campus from Monday 15 December to Tuesday 16 December. If you would like to take up this opportunity, please speak to Ben, Darcy or Dan to receive the required details and ensure your child is appropriately supported.

School staff will be available to be contacted up until Wednesday 17 December. Some students will be required to attend school with their parents for an exit interview over the next two weeks. We will reach out and contact you if this is the case for your child.

We understand that the holiday period can be challenging for some families, especially when the usual supports that school provides are unavailable. Please remember that there are a number of fantastic community organisations in Horsham that can support you during this time. Please make sure to reach out if you need support over the holiday period. 

Thank you for your ongoing support throughout 2025.

McKenzie Creek

All term, the excitement had been building for our camp to Port Fairy, with plenty of eager students counting down the days. Last week, the moment finally arrived as the Creekers headed off for two nights of adventure.

Day 1 – Horsham to Port Fairy

After a 2½-hour drive, students arrived in Port Fairy and settled into their cabins at Southcombe Lodge. With a range of cabins available, students were lucky enough to either have a cabin to themselves or bunk in with friends.

With the weather on our side, our first activity was a boat cruise around the bay aboard the Mulloka. For many students, this was a real highlight of the trip. Afterwards, we enjoyed some time at the newly developed playground near our accommodation, where the flying fox, trampoline, swings, and slides were a big hit. Before heading back, we wandered down the main street for a well earned ice cream from Rebecca’s Ice Creamery (highly recommended!).

Dinner was spaghetti and garlic bread, which didn’t last long on the plates. To end the day, we visited Pea Soup Beach for some evening exploring, with students finding an impressive number of shells.

Day 2 – Warrnambool: Flagstaff Hill & Mini Golf

Rise and shine, it was time for an action packed day! We travelled to Warrnambool with a quick detour to Tower Hill to see the historical volcanic crater. At Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, students completed research tasks and explored the site before heading to Lake Pertobe Playground for a run around and some delicious fish ’n’ chips (a seaside essential!).

Before leaving Warrnambool, students enjoyed a competitive round of mini golf, with plenty of hole-in-ones to celebrate. Ben and Darcy played head to head, with Ben coming out on top with a score of 46 and Darcy finishing on 56 after 18 holes. In the office, scores are kept for different towns, countries, and job categories, Pascall managed to get her name on the board with a score of 52 under the Emergency Services tag.

To finish the day, we enjoyed a delicious BBQ tea followed by a movie night. The unanimous choice, Shrek, a timeless favourite for many.

Day 3 – The Trip Back Home

It was a bittersweet morning as the realisation set in that it was time to head home after a brilliant few days away. Our final activity was a peaceful walk around the local lighthouse precinct on Griffith Island, taking in the beautiful weather and scenery.

Thank You

A huge thank you to Ben for organising this fantastic camp to Port Fairy. A lot of hard work went into ensuring the trip ran smoothly, from activities and food to medical planning and accommodation. Student behaviour was excellent from the very beginning, making the three days enjoyable for everyone. Students were helpful, respectful, and responsible, keeping their rooms tidy and pitching in whenever needed.