Year 11 Ski Trip
An amazing experience
On Wednesday 14 August, Year 11 departed Cecil Hills High School by coach, travelling to Bungarra Alpine Village Jindabyne. The students were very excited! For some, this was their first opportunity to see snow and experience skiing and snowboarding in the Smiggin Holes Valley at Perisher Alpine Resort and experience the natural beauty of Mt Kosciuszko National Park. The staff were also very excited!
After a few stops for morning tea and lunch in Sutton Forest and Cooma (which included some very loud sing-a-longs) we arrived at Bungarra and unpacked the bus. It was then down to the gar hire shed to be introduced to hire our gear ready to hit the mountain the next day.
Dinner was next on the agenda, and many of our students were very happy to see pasta and garlic bread on the menu! Afterwards we enjoyed some bonding time and more singing and some games of ping-pong in an old train carriage that was converted into a common room with couches, TV and games to play. Lights out time arrived and everyone was filled with excitement and anticipation ready to hit the snow the following day!
An early morning wake up at 6am was difficult for some, but impressively the boys managed to be ready first, at 5am for some, watching the sunrise as the sun pierced the horizon over the valley of Jindabyne. After some pancakes and breakfast we loaded the bus ready for a day on the mountain.
Arriving early to Perisher early gave us the opportunity to head into the snowfields and explore some of the activities and areas we would be enjoying over the next few days. For some students this was the first time they would be physically in the snow! Many students started to play in the snow, and enjoy the uncharacteristically warmer blue sky day that was unfolding. Many students relished the opportunity and snow balls started to be fired at one another.
After this brief morning of fun it was time for our first lesson on the base level of Smiggin Holes. There were many laughs as staff and students began to learn how difficult learning to Ski and Snowboard actually was! As the day rolled on it was quite warm which made it a lot easier for students to overcome the challenges associated with learning to ski and snowboard. The day finished and there were many tired but extremely happy students who couldn’t wait for Friday! We made a quick trip to the front valley to check out the other part of Perisher and see more of the National Park. Hot showers were in order after we returned as well as some snacks, ping pong and singing!
Students woke on Friday to much colder conditions and a very busy morning of packing ready for a day at Perisher. On arrival we had some free time to refine what we had learnt the day before ready for our last lesson and from some, a trip up to ski and board green runs using the J-Bars and Chairlifts.
The sun was still shining in the sky and, even though there were some clouds and the temperature was lower, a great day was had by all. Many stories followed on our long and tired bus ride home back to Cecil Hills with some more singing and a bit of banter between staff and students to entertain us.
Thank you to all of the Year 11 students who attended - it was such a wonderful trip! On behalf of Miss Sentic, Miss Saliba and I we’d like to thank you all for your singing, sense of humour, resilient attitudes and excellent behaviour! This will be one to remember for everyone involved!
Joshua Dunn
Head Teacher Wellbeing
PDHPE Teacher
Ski Trip Coordinator