Travel experiences continue for Koonung students  

Our last newsletter featured overseas travel in Japan. This term has already seen students departing on two further tours, the first to Central Australia and the second, a popular return to the ski slopes at Mount Buller. 

Central Australia Tour 

In early August, 36 senior school students set off on a 7-day, 6-night tour through Central Australia. The trip was filled with learning, exploration, and many moments that pushed us beyond our comfort zones.

Our first stop was the Alice Springs Desert Park, where we watched an impressive bird show and began learning about the unique local environment. From there, the experiences continued to build. At Rex’s Reptile Show, students had the chance to handle a variety of native reptiles, including an Olive Python and several lizards.

A highlight early in the trip was the smoking ceremony with Arnold and Brendan at Lilla, offering students a moment to reflect and connect with Indigenous culture in a respectful and meaningful way. Students also took part in dot painting, learned how to prepare and cook kangaroo tail, and explored Tjukurpa (the foundation of Anangu culture) along with traditional customs, punishment systems, and survival techniques. Meeting Ranger Doug and James added further insight into how the land has been cared for and understood for generations.

The hikes at Ormiston Gorge, Kings Canyon, and Kata Tjuta were breathtaking, and at times, physically demanding. Conditions weren’t always ideal, with wet swags and cold mornings, but the students embraced the challenges. On one of those chilly mornings, we were fortunate to be woken by the sound of Rael playing the didgeridoo for a peaceful and unforgettable start to the day.

Mindfulness activities throughout the week encouraged students to slow down, connect with nature, and be present in the moment—something rare in our busy daily lives.

As teachers, we were proud of how students handled the challenges, supported each other, and made many meaningful connections with the land, the culture, and their peers. It wasn’t always easy, but they showed resilience, humour, and determination when it mattered most.

A sincere thank you to our guides, Luke, Cara, and Rael from Remote Tours who led us with care, experience, and great storytelling and to Tourism NT for helping make this kind of learning outside the classroom possible.

This trip gave us all plenty to think about and plenty to remember!

Lydia Tomic, Emily Lewis, Luke Marinelli and Andrew Mangonis

Teachers 

Snow Tour - Mount Buller 

The 2025 Snow Tour to Mount Buller was an unforgettable adventure, with 42 students and 8 staff making the most of three action-packed days on the slopes. Across the trip we were treated to two stunning bluebird days, followed by a final day where the mountain transformed into a foggy, moody landscape that added a whole new atmosphere to the experience.

Students embraced every challenge the snow presented—whether learning new skills, overcoming nerves, or testing their resilience in a demanding alpine environment. For many, the first day began with building confidence in the snow, learning how to navigate the mountain safely, and becoming familiar with their skis or snowboards. Once everyone had mastered the basics on the ‘magic carpet,’ students progressed to riding the chairlift with care and confidence. From there, a whole new world opened up: exploring a greater variety of terrain with their instructors and steadily developing the technique to link turns, control speed, and enjoy the freedom of the mountain.

Throughout the camp, students displayed excellent teamwork, courtesy, and respect—not only toward their leaders and teachers, but also toward one another and the wider community on the slopes. Their positive attitude and commitment to trying their best made the tour a genuine success and a joy to lead.

A huge thank you goes to all the students for their enthusiasm, perseverance, and energy across the three days. I would also like to express my gratitude to the dedicated teaching staff—Claire Murray, Chloe Stimar, Mark Anderson, Emma Crimmings, and Daniel Bogemann—whose guidance and encouragement were invaluable. Finally, a special thanks to our camp volunteers, Angus and Elissa, for their tireless support and cheerful presence. This trip could not have been the success it was without such a remarkable team.

Amy McLellan 

Director of CurriculumVisual Arts/Technology Teacher