Senior School News

Year 5 Camp!!

Year 5 Camp Recount

Edie Barnes

Dear Diary, A few days ago all the year Fives went to a camp called Forest Lodge for three whole days. We all had a blast and already wish we could go back.

I woke up, got changed, and packed my day bag and then we were out the door in minutes. The bus ride was long and boring. An hour in we stopped at a park in the middle of nowhere and quickly had some lunch and hopped back onto the bus.

Soon we arrived and they took us on a short and sharp tour and we saw fourteen cute goats and the piggish pigs rolling in the mud. After that we went to our cabins and made our beds and went out for our first activity. It was damper, if you don't know what damper is, it is a scone like thing that tastes out of this world. Sadly I had to have gluten free because I’m gluten free.

The second activity was hut building. I was in a group with Lily, Koby, Mila, Valencia, and Everlyn which was great. But we only had thirty minutes to make our hut, and thirty minutes of heavy lifting and painful splinters. I forgot to mention we got splashed by water to test if our hut was waterproof. Sadly we lost to one of the smaller huts.

After that we had some fun free time, AKA time to change and have warm showers. Soon after we had dinner. We had pasta and yummy chocolate cake. After dinner we had 20 minutes to prepare a small talent show with our cabins, and luckily we won a Mars bar.

Soon after we had to get our torch and a comfortable jacket to go on a horrifying night walk. To be honest I didn't really want to go because it was so eerie and it was a blood moon, so I was even more reluctant. Plus the dirt on the ground was so coarse I kept tripping over. But all the teachers were so intrigued so I went along with it. Before I knew it I was in my bed as snug as a bug.

The next day I was so excited as our first activity was canoeing. But first we had breakfast which was toast and cereal. Anyways, we headed down to canoeing and I partnered up with Amelia. It was so hard to navigate the water,  we pretty much gave up but that was okay because in the end we had fun.

The next activity was the giant swing and you have to believe me when I say this was the best experience I have ever had. I went second and my heart dropped when I looked down from the top of the swing. But when I dropped it was even worse. I felt everything you could ever think of in one drop.

When I heard this camp had archery I nearly exploded with excitement and guess what, I got two bullseyes. Then one of the managers of the camp, Mel, came and helped me with my technique. And did you know that closing one eye actually does not help with your accuracy.

Soon after we had the flying fox but we only got to go down twice because we were running short on time. I actually wasn’t in a hurry to go on the flying fox because there were the cutest goats and they all came up to us. One of them was called Puddles and he and I had a strong connection.

For lunch we had chicken wraps and I could have sworn I ate it in less than two minutes. Afterwards we had free time but my cabin used this time to clean and prepare for the cleanest room competition.

Soon it was time for dinner, roast chicken which was out of this world and once again I finished it in minutes. But dinner was nothing compared to the dessert, good old vanilla ice cream. Then it was the room competition and it turned out all of our hard work went to waste because everyone won. Don’t tell anyone I said this but I still think we should have won because our room was immaculate. I was still happy because we had a movie night and heaps of lollies.

Soon after we fell asleep swiftly and I woke up to the sound of Amelia saying “Edie, wake up, Edie, wake up.” Then we quickly packed up our rooms, went and had breakfast which was pancakes and cereal. After breakfast we headed out and did a Clue Trail. I was in a group with Lily, Freija, and Amelia. Shortly after we headed onto the bus which was once again a long and tedious journey.

I was so happy to be home because I had missed my family soo much. Overall I give this camp a 9/10.

Zac Cornish

Day One: All year fives hopped on the bus for 1 hour. After that, we stopped for some food and a little play. Then we drove another two hours to Forest Lodge. When we got there, we met Mel, Joe, and India. We were told no shoes were allowed inside and then we were taken on a tour and saw the animals and the hay bales. After that, we went into our cabins, unpacked, and then did the first activity, which was making damper. We got a bowl of flour, a cup of water, mixed it together, and then walked to the firepit to cook it. I put jam on mine and it was so so so good.

After that, we did hut building in my group. It was Dean, Remzi, Rex, Levi, Zac, and Will. We won the best hut build and what made us win was the teamwork and the waterproofing. After that, we had free time and we played volleyball and gaga ball. Then we got told to the duty group for dinner and ate dinner, which was pasta and garlic bread. After that, we went on a night walk and then had a talent show, but the girls won.

Day Two: We all woke up at seven o’clock, but group B had to do duty group. Then we ate breakfast, which was toast or cereal. After that, we split into two groups. One group did giant swing or canoeing. My group did canoeing first. My partner was Dean and we had so much fun. Then we did the giant swing. I went to the top, which was 12 m high. When I looked down I was shocked, but then I dropped and it felt like my heart dropped, but it was so fun.

Then we did archery. 

I bet Miss Vass in a bet and she got 0 points and I got 4, so that was easy. After that, I got to go first and do the flying fox. It was so fun because I got two turns. After that, my group did bush art and I won that. Then we had free time and I played gaga ball and went on the hay bales. Then we had dinner, but I had to do duty group. Dinner was drumsticks. After that, we did a campfire and everyone said what was the best part of camp and gave a shout out to someone. Then we had movie night and lollies.

Last Day: We woke up and got pancakes! It was so so good. Then we did a clue hunt and had to figure out the questions, which was not easy but it was so fun. After that, we got lunch from Joe to eat on the way home. Then we set off for an hour drive, stopped at a park, ate some food from Joe, and had a little play. Then we had a two-hour drive back to school, and when we got there we hopped out and went home.

Year 6 Inquiry Expo – Animals and Adaptations

Last Term, our Year 6 students explored the fascinating world of animals and their unique adaptations for survival. Through research, model-making, and oral presentations, students investigated how different species use their physical features and behaviours to thrive in their environments. To showcase their learning, the students presented their findings at our Inquiry Expo, proudly sharing their dioramas, posters, and presentations with the school community. It was a wonderful celebration of curiosity, creativity, and scientific understanding.

“One of the best parts of our Inquiry Expo was having our parents come in. I really enjoyed explaining my animal and its adaptations to them and showing what I had learned.” – Olive, Year 6

“My favourite part of the Inquiry Expo was making my creature. I enjoyed designing its features and thinking about how it would survive in its environment.” – Oliver, Year 6

“I liked having students come in and giving feedback. I also liked that people took my QR code so they could explore my project at home.” – Catherine, Year 6

Sporting Success

Javier has been selected for the Victorian Youth Premier League in 2026. He will be playing for Bentleigh greens. 

Javier also competed at the  Premier invitational competition on the Gold Coast in October this year for Broxham Academy. We are excited to see how Javier performed!

Well done, Javier