WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING (1 of 3)

PRIMARY ATHLETICS CARNIVAL 

BY SIMON BROECKER (PRIMARY SPORT COORDINATOR)

After completion of our Athletics units at school for all students in Years 3 to 6 the day had finally arrived to put all practice into action. Knox Athletics track was again our venue and Phil (track manager) and Dave (electronic finish line judge) were on track early to open up and help set-up. Before long the coffee van arrived, house flags and marquees were erected with the help of the amazing Luke (BHCS Maintenance Manager) and we were all set for a great day of Athletics.

Our Primary students had been practising hard in PE classes, with focused lessons in circular relay, discus, shot put, high, triple and long jump. This certainly helped build both confidence and set us up for a successful carnival. It also made for a sensational day of close competition.

With a focus on participation, every student who competed scored points for their house and as the day unfolded the leader board was very tight at the top. After the completion of our 800m, Wattle had hung on to the slightest of margins making it back to back years on top, adding their house name on to the perpetual shield for 2026.

A huge thank you to Bryce McDowell and his group of Year 10 students who came down to help us run the day. A big congratulations to all our students for their amazing efforts. Later in the year our top performing students will be invited to represent BHCS at the CSEN Athletics at Lakeside Stadium in their selected events.

A special thanks to all our parent helpers, Michaela in the Apricity Coffee van and all the teachers that helped ensure the smooth running of the program, also to the parents that came to support the students. 

GO BHCS!

YEAR 11 CAMP

BY DANIEL DEMA (YEAR 11 & 12 COORDINATOR)

The Year 11 camp was a great time relationship building for our students, while working together in teams to get the highest score in a certain activity or just having fun and laughing with their friends. There were so many opportunities to do all of this. We went surfing, performed team rescues, went on the giant swing and the twin flying fox, displayed our archery skills, played ping-pong and volleyball, visited A Maze'N Things and played trivia together. 

After coming back from camp, we asked our students about the experience. Here is a selection of their answers:

What was your favourite activity on camp? Why?

- "The giant swing was my favourite. It was scary because you had to pull the rope to make you fall, but it was so fun."

- "Surfing, it was a great activity and it was funny to watch."

- "The giant swing and the twin flying fox!! Even though I screamed so much, it was all the more worth it as my friends were supporting and encouraging me. It was the best fun! Surfing was also great because the exhilaration of catching a wave completely outweighed the fear."

- "All of the activities were really enjoyable, but if I had to choose, I’d say the flying fox! At first it’s quite nerve wracking climbing a high structure especially when it’s windy and shaking, but it’s all worth it in the end! Jumping off the platform, holding my friend’s hand and admiring the view was the best part!"

- "Archery, because I was good at it, and surfing, because I like surfing."

- "My favourite activities at camp would be the flying fox and the giant swing. I enjoyed them because I love heights, but mostly, I enjoyed watching people face their fears and encouraging all my friends along the way."

Can you describe a situation when you felt like you bonded well with the students from your year level?

- "When we did the team rescue activity, I felt that my group grew closer as we had to work together to get through the obstacles without touching the ground. We were all very encouraging and supportive of each other."

- "On the life rescue activity we all worked together coming up with ideas and helping each other out to get the fastest time."

- "In trivia we were having a lot of fun."

- "As we all took part in the team rescue activity, our whole group participated, worked as a team and encouraged each other as we finished and came 1st."

- "Trivia night was good, otherwise so was A Maze'N Things."

- "Hiding in the trenches in laser tag with the boys."

- "At the trivia night when we all started singing together."

- "it was really memorable, and i had a great time hanging out with my friends and cabin members, a really great time."

How do we, as a group or individually, apply the school motto - All for God's Glory - in a setting like the school camp?

- "I think our year level had a willing attitude towards everything we did at camp. We all tried our best in everything and gave all the activities a go, showing that we are all for God's glory."

- "We all support each other and make the environment fun to be in."

- "Being with peers and learning teamwork."

- "At camp, knowing that whatever we do is for God's Glory postures our hearts to have a willing attitude as we did all the activities."

- "When we said grace and prayed."

- "Being nice to the instructors."

- "We all work together as a team to share love and kindness with the people around us."

- "By being in nature and enjoying His creation."

We would especially like to thank Mrs Farrand for organising this camp for us. Also a big "thank you!" to all the staff who joined in the activities, supervised the students and made sure that everyone was catered for. 

Finally, we would like to also thank our hosts - CYC Phillip Island Adventure Resort - for their warm welcome and care throughout our time spent there.   

YEAR 8 OES BOULDERING EXCURSION - CHALK, BLISTERS AND BURNING FOREARMS

BY ANDREW LOCKREY (HEAD OF HOPE - Health, Outdoor and PE)

The Year 8 Outdoor Education students recently took on the walls at Boulder Lab for a day of bouldering, problem-solving, and testing just how much punishment forearms can handle before turning to jelly.

From the moment the climbing shoes went on, students threw themselves into the challenge. Chalk floated through the air like smoke signals, blisters began forming at an alarming rate, and students stubbornly refused to give up on climbs that had already thrown them off the wall five times before. The sore hands and aching feet at the end of the day were a pretty good indication of the perseverance and determination shown by the group.

One of the highlights of the day was seeing students encourage each other through difficult climbs, share techniques, and even strike up conversations with regular climbers at the gym, who were more than happy to offer advice and tips. It was great to see students stepping outside their comfort zones, building resilience, and celebrating each small win — whether that was reaching the top of a tricky problem or simply trusting themselves enough to try.

By the end of the session, most students were exhausted, covered in chalk dust, and questioning the existence of muscles in their forearms they never knew they had. Despite this, the atmosphere remained incredibly positive throughout the day, with students demonstrating persistence, teamwork, and a willingness to keep trying even when things got tough.

A huge thank you to Hannah for her support and expert photo taking on the day, and well done to all Year 8 students for the enthusiasm and effort they brought to the day.