Student Engagement 

Fighting Extinction - Zoo Camp

This term, 20 enthusiastic Middle Years students took part in the unforgettable High Ability Girls Melbourne Zoo Camp, immersing themselves in the magic of the Zoo Snooze overnight experience. Designed to inspire curiosity and deepen environmental understanding, the camp encouraged students to explore, learn, and connect with nature like never before.

As dusk settled and the zoo transformed into its nocturnal world, students experienced wildlife in a rare after-hours setting. Guided night walks, close-up animal observations, and hands-on activities helped them investigate animal behaviours, ecosystems, and the extraordinary adaptations that influence survival. 

The camp was an inspiring blend of creativity, science, and environmental stewardship. Our high ability students returned with not only memorable experiences but also powerful messages to share about protecting our planet’s most vulnerable species.

My two favourite moments from the Fighting Extinction Zoo Camp were hearing the two lions roar, and the final carousel ride. We went to see the lions, Ndidi and Zuberi, during the night walk. It was cool to see the two lions up close, but when we heard them roaring really blew me away! We heard them after had had left their enclosure and was a few habitats away, but it was like there were a hundred right next to us! We were told by our guide that the two were actually taking turns roaring after each other and also overlapping each other to make it sound like there was a larger group of them to defend their territory.  It was absolutely hypnotising to hear the two in such a way. Our last visit was to the oldest part of the zoo, the carousel, lit up beautifully by soft blue, pink, and green lights. Riding on the carousel was such a blissful moment as it was something I hadn’t done since I was little. Everyone, including our guides, seemed to be having such a wonderful time riding around, and half laughing-half singing to Chappel Roan’s, Pink Pony Club. As the night concluded, me and my friends all sat in the cozy shed next to our tents and giggled as we exchanged stories with each other and grew closer bonds. It was so lovely to spend time with everyone like this, cozy in our pyjamas, and surrounded by animals and starts. Truly a night to remember.

• Tiana Nguyen 9A

Rhylee Year 7 :

Spending a night with the animals of the zoo, walking around and getting private experiences you'll probably never get again. The animals were out and about, even late at night, so you could hear them even from your tent, curled up next to old, and brand-new friends. Late night talks, feasts, and a whole lot of adventures. Zoo camp was a huge highlight for my year, and I know it was to many others as well. Even when we all jumped out of our skins when the lions started roaring their heads off right behind us!

Kirby Sens

Learning Specialist Student Engagement Programs Leader

Design & Technology Teacher

and 

Lydia Tomic

Mathematics Teacher | Excellence and High Ability Practice Leader