Letter to Family and Friends

Dear Pilgrim Families,  

One of the many highlights of the Year 6 students’ final year at Pilgrim School is the Kangaroo Island trip, which took place in Week 10 of last term. This year marked the third KI trip, and as I reflect on the four-day experience, I am deeply impressed by how the students demonstrated our school’s core values during their time away.

Explore

The students were presented with numerous opportunities to explore and engage with the beauty of God’s creation. Their adventures included learning about the complex behaviors of bees at Kangaroo Island Living Honey, wandering through the striking formations at Remarkable Rocks, and being awed by the seals at Seal Bay and Admirals Arch. These activities highlighted the natural wonders of Kangaroo Island, providing enriching educational experiences for the students.

Belong

It was lovely to witness the strong bonds of friendship that have formed over the past seven years between the students. These relationships only deepened during the camp, as students interacted with one another in different settings outside of the classroom. The camp allowed them to connect in unique ways, strengthening their sense of community and belonging. 

Flourish

School camps offer invaluable experiences that extend beyond the classroom, and the Kangaroo Island trip was no exception. Throughout the four days, the students’ joy was evident in their smiles and laughter. They also demonstrated resilience in overcoming small challenges, such as locating misplaced clothing in their sometimes-untidy dorm rooms or learning to pack up sleeping bags efficiently. These moments of problem-solving and adaptation helped the students grow and flourish.

Serve

At the start of the camp, Mel Carpenter encouraged the students to think about what they could do to make the camp an enjoyable experience for others. This was evident on the second day when, due to weather, we had to change plans and visit Stokes Bay instead of our original destination. Without their swimwear and faced with cold weather, the students still enjoyed paddling in the sea and exploring the rockpools. One student accidentally fell in, soaking all their clothing but they remained calm and didn’t complain despite the discomfort of spending the rest of the afternoon in wet, heavy clothes. When I later complimented their attitude, they said, 

I thought about what Mrs Carpenter said about making the camp great for others, and I didn’t want to spoil it by getting upset. 

I was impressed by this selflessness and commitment to others.

For a summary of the trip and photos, please check the rest of this newsletter. 

Blessings, 

Julie Wicks

Deputy Principal