Year 7 Camp

Term 1 – New Beginnings and Growth

Year 7 students embarked on an exciting journey, adapting to the cultural shift of secondary school while rising to the challenge of new academic expectations. They have embraced a wide range of experiences, including sports competitions such as Athletics and the Swimming Carnival, where they competed enthusiastically alongside their peers. With guidance from Year 12 leaders, they worked hard to earn points for their teams.

In addition to their sporting achievements, students tackled the NAPLAN assessments, which tested their literacy and numeracy skills. However, the highlight of the term was undoubtedly the Year 7 Camp. Held at Anglesea Valley Lodge and facilitated by Auscamp, this adventure-filled experience enabled students to participate in a range of outdoor activities that fostered teamwork and exploration.

Students enthusiastically participated in canoeing and body surfing, fully immersing themselves in water activities that generated great excitement. They also challenged themselves on a strenuous hike alongside their peers and camp leaders, as well as tackled mountain bike trails through rugged terrain. Fun sports like soccer and volleyball provided additional opportunities for friendly competition and bonding. A unique team-building challenge had students collaborating to prepare and cook meals using a set selection of ingredients, fostering both creativity and cooperation. Students also participated in a series of team-building challenges, including rock wall climbing, bike racing, and strategic puzzle solving, to earn points for their group. Pastor Matt hosted a Sharing Under the Stars activity to help build unity and a sense of family within the cohort. We aim to cultivate kindness and a supportive community among the Year 7 students.

Overall, Year 7 students have successfully navigated cultural transitions, academic challenges, and outdoor adventures, setting the stage for a fantastic high school experience!

Vinita Seago

Year 7 Coordinator

Camp - Student Reflections

Camp was a wonderful experience for many Year 7 students. Although various people were affected by homesickness, it didn’t stop them from participating in all that the camp had to offer. For me, the best part was the day we had water activities. Learning how to boogie-board was a lot of fun; however, quite a few of us got wiped out. On that day, we also had the opportunity to go canoeing with a partner. It was challenging to stay in sync with your partner and not fall behind; some people did. Making new friends and getting to know new people was a highlight for many. Some new friendships even continued back at school! It was lovely to be back home, but I still miss the great food.

Iseabail K (7.2)

Year 7 Camp was such an incredible experience, full of adventure, new challenges, and a chance to bond with everyone. My favourite activity was boogie boarding – there was something about catching the waves that made it so exciting and fun. Mountain biking was another highlight, even though it was a bit tough at times; however, it felt incredibly rewarding when we made it through the trail. Master Chef was a blast too – working together to cook meals and then enjoying them as a group was so satisfying. Bushwalking gave us a peaceful escape into nature, and canoeing was a great test of teamwork as we paddled together across the water. Camping in tents for the night was a whole new experience, and while I was a little sceptical at first, it was so much fun. Beyond the activities, it was a great chance to bond with everyone – we all came together, shared laughs, and made memories that I’ll always cherish. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience that I'll remember for a long time!

Alice Z (7.4)

Camp was a great bonding experience. The reason camp occurs at the start of the year is that it helps bond the new and current students at Oxley, allowing them to find their place within their friendship groups. Even though I joined Oxley in Year 1, I have had the opportunity to expand my friendships and establish new ones with students from other Home Groups and various other primary schools. The best group activity I experienced was Master Chef. The thing I enjoyed about it was the terrible dish that we made – scrambled pancakes! It might not have tasted good, but the process of making the dish was enjoyable, thanks to the memories and funny moments that occurred. In my opinion, out of all the school camps I have attended, this was one of the most memorable experiences.

Jonathan J (7.4)

One of the best things about going on camp at the start of the year is having the chance to make new friends who’ll have your back all year. The Auscamp staff were excellent, and the food they prepared was amazing – we even got to try some traditional Indian dishes! We had a blast with activities like mountain biking, bodyboarding, and rock climbing, and staying in the cabins was the perfect way to unwind after a busy day.

Jacky S (7.4)

Camp was a great experience, with boogie boarding being my favourite activity. It was amazing being in the water and catching big waves. And, of course, the food was above and beyond, which is something that is important to me. My friends, Rose and Tahlia and I, shared a cabin, and it was a really great time to bond together. I also met some new people in Year 7. The teachers were all lovely, and the activities were enjoyable. This camp will be a significant memory of Year 7!

Mariah R (7.3)

On Monday 17 March, the Year 7s headed off to Anglesea! The many activities made the camp busy and thrilling. Our schedules were packed with loads of fun things, such as mountain bike riding, bodyboarding, Master Chef, bush walks, and even spending a night in tents! The camp was a fantastic opportunity to bond and make new friendships, which many of us did. We all had the chance to talk to people we had never spoken to before! Our camp faced many challenges along the way, such as assembling our tents independently, but all of this taught us to be resilient and persistent in the face of adversity and to give everything a try. In general, the camp was an excellent opportunity to bond with others, go out of our comfort zone, and have fun!

Freda K (7.1)

I loved camp! It was an excellent opportunity to make new friends and create many fun memories. I enjoyed the bodyboarding and almost everybody I talked to said that it was their favourite activity of the camp. I also really loved canoeing and sleeping outside in a tent with my friends!

Ella S (7.1)

One thing I would like to mention about the camp is the FOOD! Auscamp provided us with one of the best camp foods I've ever had in my camp history. Not one activity was boring, but I must say, mountain bike riding was a bit intense. But overall, the best camp I ever been on!

Ewan G (7.3)