Year 7 Camp

The bush and back - a brilliant way to start high school 

This week our Year 7 students enjoyed their first high school camp – an important milestone and a fantastic way to begin their journey at St George’s.

Three days in the bush at Swan Valley Adventure Centre brought a mix of conditions from a very hot Monday and Wednesday, to cooler weather on Tuesday, with even a little rain rolling through. Despite this, spirits remained high, and students embraced every part of the experience with enthusiasm and resilience.

Students challenged themselves through a range of activities, including the flying fox, abseiling, raft building, archery, and a new pool rotation, which quickly became a favourite. Games like Marco Polo brought plenty of laughter and gave everyone a chance to cool off and relax between activities. It was wonderful to see students encouraging one another, celebrating small victories, and stepping outside their comfort zones.

One of the highlights of the camp was the visit from 12 of our Year 12 Student Leaders on Tuesday. They brought fantastic energy to the day, joining in with activities, getting to know the Year 7s, and helping to build House spirit. On Tuesday night, they ran a series of House competitions, including running tunnel ball and a skipping rope relay, which had everyone cheering loudly for their teams. The evening then finished with an unforgettable karaoke night – Mr Edwards’ performance of Let It Go was certainly one to remember, and a standout group performance of YMCA by Group 6 had the whole room singing and dancing along.

Throughout the camp, it was wonderful to watch friendships forming and confidence growing. Students showed kindness, resilience, and a willingness to give things a go, all of which are at the heart of what Year 7 Camp is about. Experiences like these help students build connections, develop independence, and create memories that will stay with them for years to come.

This camp would not have been possible without the support and dedication of our staff. A huge thank you to Mr Tom Dempers, Mr Vincent Lim, Ms Ebony Coldrey, Miss Molly Raynor, Mr Ryan McBride, Mr Adam Edwards, Miss Tia Scott, Miss Lauren O’Byrne, Miss Olivia Andrew and Ms Taryn Sephton for their enthusiasm, care, and willingness to go above and beyond to make the experience so positive for our students. We are also very grateful to Miss Giorgia Bakeberg and the Year 12 leaders who gave their time and energy to support the camp and make it so memorable for our newest secondary students.

Well done, Year 7s – you should be incredibly proud of the way you embraced your first high school camp. We can’t wait to see how you continue to grow throughout the year.

Miss Sadie Yoxall

Head of Service Learning and Camp Programs