School News

Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize

The Prize is open to Victorian students in years 9 to 12.

Applications are encouraged from students from all backgrounds, from across the state.

Twelve students will be selected to visit historically significant Anzac sites and learn first-hand about the people, places and sacrifices of those who served in war. 

AGL Visit

A team of staff from AGL Hydro visited the Year 10 Health and Careers class to discuss different aspects of working for the company. This included information about the diverse careers at AGL Hydro and opportunities for their upcoming Work Experience.

Year 7 Camp

Have you ever wondered what it looks like to see a snake eat a rat? 

That’s one of the many things that we got to do and see in Group 3.....read on for more stories and snippets from camp.

Belinda worked with her Year 7 English class to bring you the following pieces of writing - showing what camp was like from a student's perspective. A few prompts were given, and questions asked to get them started, and here's what they had to say about their incredible experiences. Thankyou to Belinda and her students for this work, and all staff who attended camp, supported the students and captured, sorted and edited photos.

A Chaotic Camp!

Ever seen a sugar glider flying around at night? Because the Year 7 students of 2026 did as part of our camp at Bogong Outdoor School. Sugar gliders are nocturnal animals, meaning they only come out at night, to eat, drink, glide, and play. The KDC (Kiewa Discovery Centre) at Bogong Outdoor School is home to two adorable adult sugar gliders living safely under Kim’s loving care.

Camp was an amazing experience this year, we got to do and learn so many new things.

Some of my favorite moments from camp were when we went on the flying possum, hiked Mount McKay, and went to the KDC.

The Flying Possum

The flying possum is almost like this big swing, but it involves a lot of trust in others. A.K.A. the people pulling you 6 metres into the air with a rope and a few harnesses. The flying possum was a great chance to get out of your comfort zone and do something completely different from your normal day activities. It starts off with the leader of the pullers asking if everyone’s ready and then everyone starts to run, including you. A second later you’re being pulled up off the ground air rushing past you and down your body. Then the sudden shock hits you. Of being off the ground and you start to breathe more quickly but you’re filled with happiness while swinging around, having the time of your life all while knowing you’re completely safe.

Mount McKay

While at camp we hiked up Mount McKay. At the top there was a breathtaking view. All you could see were rocky mountains covered in snow gums surrounded by pure white fog in all directions. Everyone was in awe, it was amazing. There was an old orange chairlift chair at the top of the mountain that we all gathered on and around for a photo together.

KDC

During our time at camp, we also visited the KDC (Kiewa Discovery Centre). This building was home to many small animals, like the two most adorable sugar gliders, Boris the Blue Tongue, Jaws the Bearded Dragon, and Piton the snake. We were all very happy when we found out we would get to visit, touch, and see most of these animals. First, they got out Jaws, he was a beautiful, bearded dragon with gradients of oranges, yellows and browns covering his entire scaly body. Even though he didn’t look it, Jaws’s body was very soft and floppy when you held him. We even got to watch him eat a few small witchetty grubs. Sadly, Boris was hiding behind one of the fake props in his enclosure so we couldn’t get him out and we also couldn’t get Piton out because he was busy shedding his skin at the time. Then it was finally time to get out the sugar gliders. Georgia, our adult, slowly pulled out the bag from their enclosure that the sugar gliders were currently sleeping in. She then grabbed out a small honey bottle, putting some honey onto a few of our hands. Slowly, smelling the honey in the air, the sugar gliders popped their heads out of the bags and licked the honey off the kids’ fingers. They were adorable. The next day we also got to watch Piton eat a rat as an extra bonus.

Overall, I highly recommend going on this camp for any future students, as there are so many fun activities and things to do.

Just don’t forget extra socks!

Flying Possum Fun

Have you ever focused on something so intently, clinging onto it like it is your lifeline? Because that's what I did with the forest around me at the site of the flying possum. Anything to distract me from the tall heights of the cable meters in the air, the only thing keeping you from plummeting. The shouts from the leader of the team ploughing forward to lift the ‘possum’ into the air pulled me from my haze. Everyone who had gone so far had told me it was really fun but, still, anxiety gripped me at the thought of being so high in the air with no way to catch me if I fell.

One of the most exciting activities, and the most challenging, I think quite a few would say, would probably be the flying possum. The team pulling the possum showed teamwork and leadership, working as one to hoist the possum in the air. Many people were worried before they went on the flying possum, but afterwards we all wanted another go, “The harness wasn’t very comfortable, but it was so fun!” said a classmate, “I wish I could do it again!” We all had so much fun and if we had the chance, I think we would do it a million times over.

Throughout camp we did so many fun things, like a walk up a mountain, overnight camping, kayaking, and so much more. We went to the KDC and looked at lizards, snakes, and sugar gliders, and discovered more about our classmates through the activities.

We learnt that you should try new things, and that even if you don’t like it, at least you gave it a go and you know for next time. This experience mattered because we had to depend on and trust our teammates, and it showed how much your teammates will support you if you need it. Overall, we all loved camp and are excited to go back in year nine. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves having fun with their friends and working as a team. Just don’t forget to bring some warm clothes!

Five Days of Food, Fun, and Adventure

The valley stretched out to the distance, cradled by blue-green mountains peeking out of the whisps of fog. The view from Mt. McKay was majestic, breathtaking and complimented by a rare white rainbow that formed on the rocky outcrop surrounded by soft sunlight. This was just one of many magical views that I would see on camp.

I didn’t know what would be coming my way as I stepped out of the bus and into Bogong Outdoor Education Centre, however, I was pleasantly surprised by the activities. Take the Flying Possum, for example, where you and about nine other people all hoisted someone into the air by holding or being clipped onto a rope and running with it, as the ‘possum’ ran before being pulled up into the air. It was truly exhilarating to be flying high above the ground, swinging about, and it was only made possible by great teamwork, effort, and communication to pull the possum up properly.

In addition to the fun activities, there were also challenging ones (they were still amazing by the way) such as the rock-climbing wall. The wall was a formidable structure, a collection of climbs of different shapes, sizes, and difficulties; all adorned with foot and hand holds, some big, some small. The first wall I climbed was a relatively easy slope that came inwards, becoming difficult closer to the top, where the holds became absolutely tiny. After a few goes on the first climb, and one that was basically the same, the next wall was the climb we had all been waiting for, the overhang. This was the most challenging climb there, boasting a horizontal section about halfway up, awkward little handholds, and many complex routes. No one could make the push through the overhang, no one but Darcey, who powered through the obstacle, leaving everyone else below dumbfounded as she rang the bell at the top of the impossible wall.

From this camp, we all learnt that as a team, people can accomplish anything, whilst building our character and coming together as a team and a class. Overall, it was a one-of-a-kind experience, full of delicious food, fun activities, and adventures of a lifetime.