Assistant Principal 

YEAR 9 GOLD COAST CAMP! 

What an unforgettable week we had on the Gold Coast Camp with our Year 9 students! 

I want to take this opportunity to share some highlights and express my deep gratitude to everyone who made this camp a tremendous success including our students. 

Our days were filled with a blend of adventure and fun. We kicked off the week with our flight to the Gold Coast. We had no delays, made a quick stop for some snacks at Woolworths and got to our accommodation with enough time to set up our rooms and have some fun on the volleyball and basketball courts in front of our accommodation. 

On Tuesday, we went to Wet and Wild, where students tested their courage on the water slides and enjoyed some well-deserved relaxation in the wave pool. The energy and enthusiasm of our students set the tone for the days to come. 

On Wednesday morning, we had one of our more physically challenging activities at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary with the Tree Tops Challenge. Here, most students and staff pushed their limits as they navigated the high ropes courses, while others got to experience the native wildlife at the sanctuary. A wonderful experience. It was inspiring to witness their determination and teamwork as they supported each other through each challenge, building resilience and camaraderie. 

On Wednesday afternoon, we had time at Harbour Town Shopping Centre to buy more snacks and do some shopping. This was where our students secretly planned and bought a surprise cake for Mr Mirabelli’s birthday. This was a very special moment that demonstrated just how caring our students are. 

At Movie World on Thursday, we were all transported into the world of cinema, with thrilling rides and live shows. It was fantastic to see our students step out of their comfort zones, whether by braving the tallest roller coasters or participating in the fun and games throughout the park. 

Finally, we explored the wonders of Sea World, where students were not only entertained but also educated about marine life and conservation efforts. The dolphin show was a particular favourite as well as the rides! 

Our accommodation at the Gold Coast Performance Centre, provided a comfortable and welcoming environment for rest, reflection, sport, card games, puzzles and watching the footy! 

The attending staff provided incredible support to our students and our students were supportive of each other and staff. Only because of student encouragement did I feel brave enough to conquer my lifelong fear of rollercoasters! 

I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Janevski, Mr. Mirabelli, Mr. Spatharis, Ms. Lam and Mr Ioannou for their dedication and commitment to the well-being and enjoyment of the students which was evident every step of the way. I would also like to thank Camp Organiser Ms Aakshi, whose months of meticulous planning and organisation ensured everything ran smoothly from start to finish. I would also like to thank Ms. Campbell or Year 9 Student Manager for ensuring that students and staff were supported at all times. A particular highlight for me was her work on the microphone on the bus! 

The Gold Coast Camp was not just a week of fun and adventure; it was an opportunity for our Year 9 students to grow, learn, and strengthen their bonds with each other and their teachers. I am incredibly proud of how they conducted themselves, matured over the course of the trip and embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and positivity. Personally, I feel very lucky to have shared this experience with such a wonderful group of students and staff who supported me in overcoming my fear of rollercoasters and dolphins. 

In every location, whether it was our bus driver, the general public, staff at theme parks, security staff at the airport or the flight attendants on the way to and from Melbourne, our students were complimented for their behaviour, conduct, sense of humour and care. When asked, I was proud to say that we were from Lalor Secondary in Melbourne. They lived up to our motto Honour Be Ours. They did themselves proud. 

Thank you to the parents and guardians for your support in making this experience possible. The memories and lessons from this camp will undoubtedly stay with our students for years to come. 

See below for some more pictures from the camp. 

Warm regards, 

Jules Ryan

Assistant Principal 

Middle School