Ranges TEC News

Year 10 Camp - Wilsons Prom

The Year 10 camp is always a special highlight of the year. No matter how much preparation we run the students through, Wilsons Prom always offers up a different kind of challenge and it's great watching our students overcome them. This year was no different. Everyone arrived bright-eyed and ready to accept the challenge ahead but also ensured they checked every other student pack to ensure theirs wasn't the only one that seemed ridiculously heavy. 

Student reflections:

• Had lots of fun on the camp
• We saw lots of different animals along the way such as emus, birds and kangaroos
• We crossed 2 mountains and ended up at a tidal river. It was so tiring but when we arrived at the beautiful beach, it was the best feeling
• Though I found the walk up the hill difficult, my highlight was making it to the bus and feeling proud of myself
• We had to walk across the whole beach and it was torture but I do highly recommend it as it was quite fun
• The sight from the lighthouse overlooking the vast expanse of the ocean, was truly beautiful 

The experience of the camp was overall positive and we are sure it will be a highlight of the year. A huge thank you to all of the parents that helped everyone get ready for the camp and talked about it with your students. Getting the students well prepared is very much a team effort and you all made it really easy this year. 

Year 11 Camp - Mount Buffalo

Year 11 camp took place at Lake Catani campground on top of Mount Buffalo just outside of Bright in the Victorian High Country. Students plan their own meals developing self-reliance and growing their planning abilities. The activities extended students out of their comfort zone and helped to develop resilience and openness to new experiences. They included caving in an underground river, abseiling into Buffalo Gorge, climbing an exposed and prominent rock formation, raft building and kayaking.

It was wonderful to see students supporting others in their community and encouraging each other to try activities that were confronting or scary.

Student reflections:

• I looked over the edge of The Cathedral and started to panic and worry about what might happen. One of the leaders showed me the easiest way down so I decided to put my fears behind me and give it a go. Once I was about half way down, I realised that it wasn't that bad and had freaked out for nothing
• I was a little nervous about the underwater caving because I am not great with small, dark and tight spaces. I slid into the dark cave and got wet, I felt much calmer and got on with going into the cave. I ended up really enjoying the cave and felt very happy with myself that I did the whole thing
• I didn't want to do the white water rafting but then Ross and Marcelle pushed me to do it and so went and I'm not gonna lie, it was actually alright! I loved it - thanks to Ross for pushing me to do it
• I was petrified to do The Cathedral and didn't want to do it. I am very scared of heights and hated the thought of rock climbing and abseiling down/up a massive rock side. Going down the cliffside, I started having some fun and realised I'd overcome my fear. I felt so accomplished and happy with myself

Well done students!

We hope that as the students reflect in the coming weeks, they will have good memories of camp and find that it offered the opportunity to extend themselves and learn new things about their abilities and preferences when living in a close community.