Learning & Teaching

Senior Camp Reflections

On the 3rd of February 2025 the Year 5 and 6's went on the best camp to Canberra to see and learn how the country was made and how it is run but the members of parliament.

Day 1

When we got to school at 7:15am, everyone was super excited. At about 8:00 am we hopped on the bus to go to the Melbourne airport. When we got to the airport we boarded our luggage and sat down to eat our snack. We got through airport security safely and boarded our plane. We were flying with Jetstar. This was my first time flying Jetstar so I didn’t know what to expect. The flight was a bit bumpy but we got to Canberra safely.

We stopped off at a park to eat our lunch. Then after that we went to our first place, The National Capital Exhibition. We found out who the designer of the city of Canberra was. The designers Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. In this place, we got to make our own city with our group. After that we got to learn about the other different names that people wanted for Canberra; one was Sydmelbriadaperhob.

Then we went to the place we were staying at, called Leumeah Lodge. We settled in and got to see our cabin. I was with Felix, Freddie, Eli, Will W, Brian and Kyri. For dinner we ate hot dogs, chips with pasta and ice cream for dessert. Then we had a shower and we went to bed.

Day 2 

We woke up at 7am to go to breakfast. We walked to the dining tables then we ate breakfast. After breakfast, we got dressed, brushed our teeth and went to our first place, the Royal Australian Mint. When we got there we saw the first designer of the first Australian coins, then we saw all of the robots that made the coins. The robots were (Titan pick up the large tubs of coins in them) Robbie (a auto pilot forklift that would bring the tubs to titan) and Penny (puts the coins into the machines to go into tubs).

The next place we went to was Government House. When we got there we saw the Governer General and she told us what she does and what the Government House is. Then we saw the soldiers marching and we explored the property and followed the soldiers out of the building.

After that, we went to the Electoral Education Centre where we first watched a movie about how democracy started in Australia. We then particpated in a mock election for the best fruit. The fruits were peach, apple, orange and banana. Banana won! Then we played a game called “Democracity”. We acted like people that allowed us to vote. That was the last thing we did.

Then we went to the Old Parliament House. When we got there we first learnt about people who made a change to the country. After that we did a scavenger hunt with a key card but we had to put on gloves to not get fingerprints on the screen. Then finally we sat in the old house of representatives and saw the golden mace.

We went back to the lodge to eat dinner. For dinner we ate nachos and mac and cheese. We had showers and freshened up ,then we watched a movie called Destiny 2. I didn't like it and neither did anyone else in our cabin so we just chilled in our cabin. After that we went to sleep.

Day 3

We had to wake up at 6:30am to go to breakfast. Everyone in our cabin was rotten and so was I. We got dressed, ate breakfast, brushed our teeth and went to our first place. It was the National Museum of Australia. The first thing we learnt was the story of the crocodile and the canoe which was about a lady that got into an attack with a crocodile. We walked around the gardens and saw some nice plants and a massive spider.

The next place we went to was the National Gallery. We saw a really cool ball in the sky that was totally not being hung up by some wires. When we got in, we went to the first exhibit which was  the snake sculpture made by Lindy Lee and it was their newest piece. The next one was Blue Poles by Jackson Pollock, then Water Lilies by Claude Monet. We saw the Ned Kelly story by Sidney Nolan. Ned Kelly was a person who killed three police officers and got killed by a fire. We also saw the Seven Mermaids. That was the last piece then we left.

The next place was the High Court of Australia. We had to go through security and straight to one of the courtrooms. The next thing we did was watch a video called the 6 Ingredients of the Constitution Cake. It was super interesting. Then we saw a real debate happen but we didn’t know what it was about. We stayed there for about 10 minutes until we went to the best place...Questacon!

When we got there everyone wanted to get in but we had to wait for the longest 15 minutes of my life to finally go in. The first place we went to was the gift shop where I bought a slinky, aeroplane and an indoor rocket. After that, we went in and the first thing was Lego. We saw planets, Lego figures and even got to make our own Lego creation. We went in an earthquake simulation, saw indoor lighting, played air hockey and went down a vertical slide which was scary, but I did it. We went back to the lodge and for dinner we had pulled pork burgers, chips and pasta carbonara. Then we had a shower, hung out and went to bed.

Day 4

We woke up at the same time as yesterday 6:30am, ate breakfast and went on the bus to our first place, Parliament House.

When we got there, the educator took us to a mock election and we got to roll a bill and it was that all houses should have a water tank. Some people had some special roles like being the Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition and the judge our team won. Then we got to meet a real speaker, Mr Wilton Dick. We got to see a Lego sculpture of Parliament House, then we got to eat frozen yogurt. Dr Monique Ryan came to see us and talk to us about politics. We asked her a few questions but then we had to go to our next place, the War Memorial.

When we got there we had to wait in the hot weather and finally our tour guide came over and we saw tanks, old navy ships, old aircraft and the original Anzac boats with bullet holes in them. We saw a dead man’s penny (which means they died), we saw Jimmy Martin (the youngest soldier to go to war), we saw Bluey Le Scott’s aircraft (who was a demon player and was a triple ace) and finally we saw the Roll of Honor. After that we left to go to our final place, a bike ride around Lake Burley Griffin.

When we got there we went straight on the bikes. We biked around part of the lake. After a long bike ride, we went back to the lodge. For dinner we had fried rice. Then we had a shower and had a dance party and we went to bed.

Day 5 

We woke up at the same time as all the other days and we ate breakfast, packed our suitcases and went on the bus to the Australia Institution of Sport (AIS) where we played digital AFL, rowing and sledding. Then we got to see athletes training for swimming, gymnastics, basketball and volleyball. Some people went to the gift shop but I didn't. I just wanted to go home then we went to Marian’s Lookout to eat lunch and it was a great view of Canberra and Parliament House. We finally went to the airport and we flew Virgin. It had less turbulence than Jetstar. After the plane we got dropped off at our school to finally see our parents.

This had to be the funnest camp ever and I wish I could do it again.

By Will Tobias

On Monday the 3d of Feb I came to school at 7:25 am. I saw lots of my friends and talked for a bit. We said our goodbyes to mums and dads. I was a bit sad to leave my mum and dad, but I knew it would be fun. Then it was time to go on the bus and I sat next to Mrs Hoogeveen. She started a game called Truck. It was so fun and I called most of the trucks. Then we got to the airport and we got out of the bus. We got our suitcases and then we ate some food and got on the plane. We ate a few snacks and then we landed in Canberra.

When we got out of Canberra airport, the bus took us to the National Capital Exhibition and we learnt all about Canberra and how it got it's name. We were there for maybe one hour. Then we went back on the bus and went to our cabins. I found out the room I was in with Lucy, Milli, Polly, Annabelle and Grace. It was amazing. We had hotdogs and chips for dinner. 

On day two we got up at 7:00 and had beans and toast, which was ok. Then we brushed our teeth and got on the bus and went to the Royal Australian Mint. It was the best place in opinion. We learnt how our coins got the way they look today. Then we went to where they mint the coins and they have two robots that do most of the heavy lifting. They were charging so we could not see them in action, but we saw the workers do it, while Mrs Hoogeveen and Miss Privitelli were playing games. Then we went to Government House where we saw the new Panama ambassador. We saw members of the navy, air force and army. Then we left and had lunch which was not bad.  We got back on the bus and went to Electrical Educational Centre. We watched a movie about democracy and how to vote. It was a bit boring for me. Then the last thing we did was go to the Old Parliament House which was fascinating. We played a game and then we went back to the place and ate dinner. After that, we went to bed.

The next morning we woke up and got ready. We had breakfast and then we got on the bus and went to the Museum of Australia which was not my favourite place, but it was still nice. We saw a taxidermied crocodile and it was cool and scary, but mostly cool. Then we went to the National Gallery. I learnt about Ned Kelly. It was so cool to look at the paintings of him. Then I saw the most expensive thing I have ever seen. It was an abstract expression. It looked like scribble but it was so cool. Then we went to the one and only High Court of Australia. It was intense because I had to be quiet and we had to bow to the judge and we could not make a single noise. The Questacon gift shop was a bit disappointing. We did a few fun things and I played air hockey with Miss Privitelli and Frankie. It was so fun. Then it was time to go back on the bus, go to the resort, eat dinner  and sleep. 

On day four we woke up and got out of bed and got ready. We ate breakfast and then got on the bus. The first place was Parliament House. We met a green jacket lady and I went  to the room of representatives. Then we saw Milton Dick who is the speaker for parliament. We also met Dr Monique Ryan which was fun. We got frozen yoghurt to eat. Then we went to the War Memorial and met our instructor. After that we went to Lake Burley Griffin and did a bike ride. That was ok. After dinner, we had a disco party. It was more fun than it was bedtime and Mrs Hoogeveen found our lollies which was not good. 

The next day was home time and we got on the plane and went home.

By Eirini Samartzis

On the 3rd of February, all the Year 5/6s at Sacred Heart had to arrive at school at 7.15am. 

When I arrived at school, I saw Miss Privitelli, Mr O’Shea, Mrs Hoogeeven, Mr Weekes and Mrs Gereke. I had my suitcase wheeling behind me in one hand and a backpack in the other. After 15 minutes of talking to my friends and saying goodbye to my parents, we hopped onto the bus to go to the airport and waved our parents goodbye. After a long drive which felt like it took 3 HOURS, we finally arrived.

We had to line up and get our bag weighed then shipped off to Canberra. Finally it was time to board the plane. The plane ride was only about 1 hour.  I sat down in my seat and found that I was in the middle of Ollie and Peter. Once we had hopped off the plane and had finally arrived in Canberra, we were taken on a bus to the National Capital Exhibition, which we got told about the story of how Canberra started. At the National Capital Exhibition we got to make our own cities using these building blocks shaped as hotels, statues, spare space areas and trees. I was in a group with most of my friends and we built a very good city and I think ours was the best. There was also a room that we went in that told us the different names that Canberra could’ve been. Finally it was time to see and find out who we’d be in cabins with! 

We stayed at a place called Leumeah Lodge. We found out who was in our cabins and in my cabin it was myself, Charlotte, Abby, Priya and Frankie. At 5.30pm it was dinner time which was hot dogs, chips, pasta with a bolognese and for dessert, two scoops of vanilla ice cream, which was delicious! Sadly it was time for bed which was at 9.00pm.  

(The next day)

We woke up to our teachers saying “Good morning Girls.” I was so tired but knew I had to wake up and start getting ready. Once we had had breakfast and got our bags ready for the day, we were off on a bus to the Royal Australia Mint. 

Once we had arrived there we looked through a window which showed a workshop with robots minting the coins. There was also an option to pay $3 and get a minted coin. I got one and it was very cool and shiny. Before we knew it, we were on another bus heading to Government House. We saw some very important people, one being the new Panama Ambassador which drove past us in a Rolls Royce.

We then got on a bus and drove to the Electoral Education Centre where we mocked an election about fruits. I was team apple but there was also peach, orange and banana which one the vote. There was also a short movie about how democracy began in Australia.

Sadly it was time to move on to our last stop for the day, the Old Parliament House (also known as the MoAD.) At the MoAD we learnt about the people who stepped up and made a change. They handed us gloves to put on so we don’t get fingerprints on the stuff we were going to see. Then we had a fun scavenger hunt using keycards where you’d scan your key card on an iPad and it would talk for a little bit then send us to a new location with an iPad. 

Finally it was time to head back to our cabins and have dinner, which was an option of Mac and Cheese or nachos! Later on our teachers told us that they had reserved the rec room for us, which is basically just a room where you can play games. After a lot of playing, we sadly had to go to bed at about the same time as yesterday.

(The next day)

Today we woke up at 6.30 and by now everyone was very tired. First up we were off on a bus to the National Museum of Australia. There, we learnt about the crocodiles, the trees, the indigenous people and their history. Then the tour guide asked us to find stories and people who made impacts on Australia, I chose the Canberra fires and the firefighters who saved several peoples lives. 

We then got onto a bus to the National Gallery where the tour guide showed us the BluePoles, the story of Ned Kelly and the seven mermaids! All the artworks were really cool and different. 

Now it was time for the High Court of Australia! We went inside one of the court rooms and witnessed an appeal case being brought to the judges. We also learned about the constituents cake and its six ingredients.

Finally it was time for everyone's highlight of the Canberra camp…… QUESTACON!!

First of all we shopped at the gift shop because it had barely any people and it is always very crowded there. We then stood in front of an iPad which generated a square with a bunch of different Lego blocks and we had to build it the exact same. There was also a vertical slide where you held onto a bar and once the staff counted down from 3, you would let go of the bar and free fall until you got caught by the slide at the last second. Then we got to queue up for the earthquake room where there were 16 in the room at a time and a screen would turn on saying something like ‘breaking news, several earthquakes happening in Canberra, be careful.’ The room would then start shaking, not much at first, but then it slowly got more and more shaky. This was definitely one of my favourites. After that, my friends Frankie and Eirini played a game of air hockey with me and I kept losing!

Finally it was time to go back to the cabins for dinner and rest. The dinner that night was pulled pork burgers, chips or carbonara pasta! I got the chips and the pasta. Sadly after a long, tiring day, we went to sleep. 

(The next day)

Again, we woke up at 6.30 and had to quickly rush to get ready and have breakfast because before we knew it, we were off on a bus to Parliament House. We met our educator who took us into the ‘mock’ House of Representatives. There, we role played a bill about water tanks being compulsory, and the educator gave out special roles to some people. We also met the real speaker of the house, his name was Mr Milton Dick. Then we went into a room with a big Lego statue of Parliament House and its surroundings. In the room, Dr Monique Ryan spoke to us about her job. After that, we got delicious frozen yoghurt which was flavoured with watermelon and mango!

Finally it was time for the War Memorial. We learnt about the nurse who had a penny memorialised, she was on a Red Cross boat that was attacked! We also learnt about Jimmy Martin who was the youngest soldier that went to war. We saw the Roll of Honour which is very popular for tourists. Now it was time for the last thing of the day, a bike ride around Lake Burley Griffin. I don’t know how to properly ride a bike so I sat at the back of a professional bike with my friend Chelsea. It was so cool to drive around and look at the gorgeous view.

Unfortunately it was already time to go back to the cabins and eat dinner which was delicious fried rice. Everyone was beyond tired by now, but Miss Privitelli surprised us all with a dance party. It was super fun but I was so tired after it so I went straight to bed. 

(The next day)

Today was our last day and everyone was upset. We packed up our bags and suitcases and tidied up our cabins. Now it was time to say goodbye to our cabins and we were sent off on a bus to the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport.)

We saw a soccer player, swimmer and motorsport racer take us around the place.

In the first room, there were interactive games like a bike riding thing where it feels like you're riding a bike but you're not actually moving or a canoe where you have to push and pretend that you're paddling. We saw where the gymnasts trained, the Canberra Capitals, the swimming pool, the volleyball players and the gift shop. I had $10 left because I spent most of it at Questacon so I bought a woman with a cape that says AIS on it. 

Now it was time for Mt Ainslie where we had lunch at Marion’s lookout. I had a wrap with lettuce, chicken, cheese and butter. Sadly it was time for the airport. The plane ride felt like it took a bit less time then the ride on the way there. Finally we arrived at school at 5.45pm. I would 100% go back to Canberra for a school camp if we got the choice. 

By Olivia Baillie

Senior Interschool Sport

This term, the Senior students will compete on a number of Friday mornings in a range of sports against other schools in the North Balwyn district. The sports played will be basketball, cricket and volleyball.

The dates for all matches for Term 1 are: 14 February, 28 February, 21 March, 4 April.