Year 9 Endeavour

A Student's Perspective

Year 9 Endeavour was an unforgettable adventure that challenged us all, either physically, mentally, and in most cases both. 

Over the first four days, we hiked between campsites, walking around 5–7 km each day, getting used to carrying our packs. One of the highlights from those early days was eating kangaroo tail for the first time, and we even learnt how to cook it ourselves. We also navigated an orienteering activity, where we learnt how to use a compass to find our way, which was both fun and rewarding.

On the fifth day, we swam through the freezing Fringe Lily Gorge, where we worked together to build a raft that carried our backpacks across the icy water. Luckily, our raft held up well, with only one bag falling in (sorry Joe!). Another memorable moment was scaling Razorback Ridge. Although the first few kilometres were difficult, the views at the top were breathtaking, and worth the struggle.

On our last full day of camp, we crossed a whopping 16 km of bush to our final campsite. It was a huge achievement after such a long journey, and ended the camp on a high.

Looking back now, it is surprising to say that we all actually miss camp; even the early mornings, tired legs, and heavy backpacks! Endeavour gave us the chance to try new things, build a team, and create memories that we will always cherish.

~ Ruby-Ai McCaskill, Ruby Bhattarai, Mailee Adie and Flo Bettineschi

A Teacher's Perspective

Close your eyes. Now imagine having no contact with the outside world for nine days and eight nights. No phone, no running water, no hot shower or warm bed, no lights to turn on, no Netflix to binge at the end of the day. Just you, your school mates, the great outdoors and everything you need to survive in a pack on your back.

This was the reality for our Year 9 students as I joined them to battle the extreme, yet spectacular, elements of the Chewings Ranges: a rugged section of the West MacDonnell Ranges that also includes the world famous Larapinta Trail for the 2026 Endeavour Course.

I love the outdoors, but I most certainly underestimated the challenges that would face my Orange Group. Thankfully, we were in safe hands with experienced former Saints student and wilderness adventurer Andrew "Birdy" Bird, whose calm leadership and encouragement quickly reminded us that every challenge could be overcome one step at a time. Also joining us was Esther Rowan, our St Philip’s Gap student who has only just arrived in Australia from the UK, who was ready to take on the challenge of spending almost two weeks in the Aussie outback.

Having never experienced this camp before, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Like many of the students, I was excited, nervous and perhaps a little naïve about what lay ahead. The Larapinta Trail has a way of stripping life back to the essentials. Without the distractions of everyday life, conversations became richer, connection grew stronger, and the small comforts we often take for granted at home became moments of genuine appreciation, like a hot meal, shelter, and a good night’s sleep.

Each day brought a new challenge. We scrambled over rocky ridgelines, climbed ascents, abseiled down cliff faces, swam through an icy gorge, contributed to land care by digging out noxious weeds, tested our raft building skills, navigated a low ropes course, problem solved navigation challenges, built shelters, cooked meals over fire and dug trenches for toilets- it was all hands on deck!

There were moments when tired legs, sore shoulders and blistered feet and below zero temperatures made the next day feel impossible. Yet it was often during these moments that I witnessed the greatest growth in our students.

What struck me most wasn't simply the resilience of our Year 9’s, but the way they supported one another. Resources were shared, encouraging words flowed and celebrations followed every challenge we reached. Students who may never have spoken much at school found themselves working together, solving problems and relying on one another. Friendships strengthened, confidence grew and every student discovered they were capable of much more than they first believed.

As teachers, we spend so much of the year seeing students inside the classroom. Out in the bush, however, we had the privilege of seeing different sides of them emerge. Quiet students became leaders. Others who often doubted themselves found quiet determination they never knew they possessed. I was so proud of watching our young people persevere through discomfort and come together as a community.

The camp also reminded me of something we can all forget in our busy lives: the value of slowing down. There was something special about ending each day sitting around camp, sharing stories under a sky full of stars, cooking a hot meal over fire, free from technology and other distractions. It was a chance to reconnect with nature, with each other and, perhaps most importantly, with ourselves.

As a first-time participant, I returned home physically exhausted but very inspired. I have enormous admiration for every student who accepted the challenge with courage and determination. To my Orange group, but also every other Year 9 who took up the challenge - you should all be incredibly proud of what you have achieved, I know I am.

~ Miss Alex Treloar

Message from the Head of Outdoor Education

To all the students and staff who participated in, or played a role in bringing the Year 9 Endeavour program to life, I would like to extend my sincere thanks and congratulations.

With teamwork and community at the forefront, our Year 9 students came together in their respective groups to discover what can be achieved when people are given the opportunity to collaborate, support one another, and overcome challenges together. The resilience and perseverance they demonstrated throughout the program were truly inspiring, enabling them to grow, adapt, and thrive in a unique and often challenging environment.

It was a pleasure to connect with groups at various points throughout the nine-day journey and hear the laughter, excitement, and sense of accomplishment in the stories they shared. Their reflections highlighted not only the challenges they overcame, but also the friendships they forged, the memories they created, and the confidence they developed along the way.

The skills, experiences, and personal attributes gained through participation in the Endeavour Program will serve these young people well as they continue their journey through the Outdoor Education program. The foundations built during Endeavour will undoubtedly support their success as they look ahead to the challenges and opportunities of the Year 10 Mittagundi program, and the Year 11 Aspire course.

~ Meagan Butler

Head of Outdoor Education