Camps & Excursio

Advanced Outdoor Ed Grampians

Towards the end of May our Year 10 Advanced Outdoor Ed students took off on a 3-day camp to the Grampians. We were blessed with the weather over the trip and, although very cold overnight, students were much better prepared than in their first camp.

After a relaxing walk down to McKenzie Falls we straddled the mountain bikes and took off around Halls Gap. We wobbled our way through sandy tracks, along bush trails and down rocky areas and escaped with lots of fun and excitement. A night around the camp fire turned into a very cold morning, but we were up and ready to tackle the cliff faces at Mount Rosea. All students stepped out of their comfort zones and it was great to see most really push themselves up the cliffs. There was a lot of confidence building and teamwork as we helped and supported each other on the rocky outcrop.

Overall the camp was a great way to finish the course and build on all the qualities we built throughout the Semester. The students really showed their willingness to get involved, support others and get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Year 9 Melbourne Experience Camp

Year 9 students went on adventure to Melbourne for the annual Year 9 camp. Students had to take the bus from Hamilton to Ararat, and then the train from Ararat to Melbourne. Students were given the opportunity to explore the city and visit many of Melbourne's iconic attractions including the Eureka Skydeck and ice-skating.

Highlights

On camp my favourite thing was Ten Pin bowling. It was really fun to just spend 4 days doing activities with my friends. - Edie Jackson

My highlight from camp was ice skating due to is being really fun and exciting. It was great that I had improved from last time I went. – Lara Mayne

My highlight of camp was ice skating because even though I fell over I started laughing and it was a fun experience. I also enjoyed Eureka Skydeck because I faced my fear of heights and the view was amazing. – Arliah Buck

My favourite thing about camp was that we got to go ice skating, I looked like an old grandpa. I also enjoyed exploring Melbourne. – Riley Turner 

On camp I really enjoyed adventuring through Melbourne with my classmates. I really enjoyed learning to ice skate despite falling on my butt multiple times. – Logan Grace

My favourite highlights from camp were; One, Ice skating as I learnt how to ice skate even though I fell over a lot. Two, Urban Quest as it was challenging but really fun. Me and Toryn lost our group and it was a challenge to find them again. – Alex Steff 

On camp I really enjoyed going up to the Skydeck and seeing the amazing view. I also enjoyed the ice skating and watching everyone stack it. – Charlotte Turner

On camp I really enjoyed; ice skating, shopping and hanging out with my friends. – Zoe Priddle

School for Student Leadership

School for Student Leadership 2024 – Don Valley

Congratulations to the following Year 9 students who have been successful in their selection for the School for Student Leadership in 2024: Amely Pech, Jayda Bruni, Leo McConachy and Dylan McLachlan.

Opened in 2000 as an innovative specialist setting for leadership education, The Alpine School is unique within the DET (Department of Education and Training). Students from across Victoria gather in the high country at Dinner Plain for a term of immersion in activities which provide opportunities for personal, community and leadership development.

Students return to their school communities in Term 4 with a concept for Community Learning Project (CLP) that enables them to share their learnings with their local school community.

Many thanks to Year 9 Coordinator, Mr. Greg Irvin, for coordinating this exciting opportunity for our students.

You can read more about the Alpine School Campus experience at https://donvalley.schoolforstudentleadership.vic.edu.au/

Students thoughts leading up to the camp

SSL stands for School of Student Leadership. It is a nine week program that runs throughout the year. The course aims towards self-improvement and leadership skills. I applied because it was an opportunity that appealed to me and having been on the camp, my older brother gave me many ‘great reviews.’ I’m looking forward to meeting new people, being away from home for more than a week and the outdoor experience. However, the prospect of nine full weeks of virtually zero contact with the outside world is quite daunting. Leaving my family for several weeks is probably going to be a challenge, although I believe it is one I can overcome. I hope to build my social confidence and companionship. 

- Leo McConachy

School for student leadership (SSL) is an opportunity for all year 9 students to go to a school away from home that helps students to learn new life skills and to learn more about themselves. I applied to SSL so that I can be outside of my comfort zone and be around new people. Something that I am excited about is meeting new people and learning new things about myself. Something that I am nervous about is the activities. I feel a bit upset leaving my family because they mean so much to me but I know that it isn’t forever and they will always be there for when I need them. Some skills that I hope to learn whilst at SSL is learning to talk to new people and just learning how to be a bit more responsible. 

- Amely Pech