I cannot believe we are at the end of Term 2 and the holidays are soon upon us. It has been such a busy term and I am sure all students will benefit from some downtime over the holiday period.

The Inaugural Bibbulmun Track Trek for Year 12’s was such a success . Thank you to Miss Jemma Read and Mr Jordan Lee for planning and the leadership you provided. I personally felt that every student really kicked personal goals and our talks around the fires every night will stay with me for a long time.

The Bibbulmun Track: by Miss Nikita Tiller Year 12

There is nothing that can possibly prepare you for the Bibbulmun track, it is totally an experience of its own.

I must say that prior walking the track, I came very close to not going, I was terrified! No cell-service, no proper shelter and no civilization for miles, are you kidding? Nothing but 10 students, 3 teachers and a whole lot of bush.

But I now know that it was possibly one of the best experiences in my life. There’s something so humbling yet thrilling about spending 3 days just walking in the great wonderland of Mother Nature. I recall how on the first day, only 5 minutes in, I was huffing and puffing and thinking ‘why on Earth would someone want to put themselves through this?’ and I know I wasn’t alone because as I looked around I saw people just like me; huffing and puffing with faces full of regret.

On the second day it just got worse, climbing up Mount Cook was a pain and a half! Rain soaking us through and wind sending chills down my spine. You definitely need to carry an inhaler up there, my friend started gasping for air as Mr Lee ran down like a medic trying to be a hero. He ended up doing a somersault down the mountain which was absolutely hilarious. But as we reached the top, through and past the clouds, words cannot begin to describe how spectacular the view was, it felt like I was in a fantasy world. The wind was so strong that it sent the rain sprawling UP the mountain. Dew drops lay themselves of the rock and moss, and as the light hit, it looked as though diamonds where on the floor. Looking from the top of the mountain at all that landscape below is just unfathomable. It was like heaven on earth.

It wasn’t just the sights we saw, but also the experiences we shared together and the friendships we made that makes this trip so worth it. Without technology to keep us occupied as we walked for many hours, the only form of entertainment we had was each other and so started the many, many conversations, questions, song singings and even the occasional game of eye-spy. You could put a group of people who hated each other on the Bibbulmun track and I think you’ll find that by the end of it, they’ll all come out laughing and cheering and being best friends.

The walking was pretty great but you can’t forget the feeling of seeing camp, after hours on the track. All you hear is just sighs and laughs of pure joy. There’s nothing like arriving, taking your shoes off, making a fire and roasting marshmallows while playing a game of Uno and later, cooking your own meals on a simple trangia (just as long as you know how to cook).

You will not by any means regret doing this hike.

I would just like to thank Mr Lee and Miss Read for taking us on such a beautiful journey, as well thank Miss KV for delivering us the supplies and food that gave us fuel for the exhausting trip, that ended up being well worth the blisters.

NORTH WEST TOUR

Please be mindful that all RSVPs on Consent2Go are due back this Monday 27 June.

Thank you for your patience with our planning for NW Leave. Staff illness and late responses from some of our tour and accommodation options meant we were late in getting out the Consent2Go but now we are full steam ahead and so very excited!!

There will be a Parent information session in the Recreation Hall on the last day of this term Friday 1st July at 12:45pm. This will align with pick up times for the end of term and all Year 11 parents and students are encouraged to attend.

We had a student information session on Tuesday lunchtime and I have added this information below. Please do not hesitate to call me should you have further questions. The most important information we require at this stage, is the most up to date medical information, safety management plans and medications. I shall touch base with those parents next week to ensure we are fully prepared.

CLOTHING: Please remember we are representing our College. No singlets, T shirts or jumpers with inappropriate language or promoting alcohol slogans – such as “Bush Chook”. No Brazilian bikini’s, ultra-short shorts or mini-skirts. Please use your College sports/overnight bag if you have one or a bag no larger than this.

WASHING: Can be done in Broome. You only need 5 days of clothes. Bring your net laundry bag and wash smalls in the bag, this saves unidentified/no name lost property. We provide laundry powder and pegs. Bring plastic bags for your wet or dirty clothes.

TOWELS: Bring micro fibre or small sports towels. Big heavy towels do not dry. Same for beach towel as well please.

SHOPPING: Opportunity to shop on day 2 in Newman, day 5-7 in Broome and day 8 in Port Hedland. No shopping at road houses, these stops are for refuelling only. Be aware that staff will need to accompany groups of students in shopping centres, as during school hours, students will not be served without a staff member in many towns. There is no need for large amounts of sweets due to shopping stops along our trip.

CAMPING GEAR: PLEASE No double swags – we have very limited room. Any exceptions to be discussed with Miss KV. Small 2 person tents. A list will be prepared of who is sharing tents. Boys and girls will be camping separately with supervision.

PHONE CHARGING: Bring a mobile charger if you have one. Phone charging is not the priority when we arrive in camp. We set up camp first. Bring your ear buds. No loud music permitted in the bus or caravan parks, out of respect for other people.

FOOD: Lunches are on the road when we are travelling. You will make up your wrap etc at breakfast time and we will label it with your name. We are camping and there will be plenty of food but it will not be a la carte. Simple healthy food.

PLANNING: There will be a 5 minute meeting before dinner each day, to explain what is happening the following day, to set expectations and safety briefings if required. This is your time to ask questions.

DUTIES: There will be a list of duties. Everyone participates in all duties, including cleaning of the inside of buses, setting up and pulling down camp, food prep and washing of dishes. Just like a big family we all share the load.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION: Have an amazing time on this journey. Be respectful to each other, staff and the venues. Mind your language at all times. Bed is 9.30pm to respect the fatigue of other staff driving vehicles all day and other campers.

Trades

Stephen PrangnellHead of Trades

Stephen Prangnell
Head of Trades