Middle School 

Year 7 Camp Weekaway

Week 5 saw the Year 7 cohort head off to Camp Week away for Year 7 Camp. We were so lucky to be able to go given that we’d just emerged from the snap lockdown, so gratitude was a big focus during our trip. 

7B, 7C, 7D, 7E and 7I went on the first half. We had some expert canoers on the trip (only three people ended up in the dam!) and it was great to see students challenge themselves in a range of different activities including mountain biking, flying fox and laser tag. Night one included a marshmallow feast and a night walk led by Mr Shirley, whereas night two saw our students displaying their best Tic Tok moves as they made up new house songs and dances for future sports carnivals with Mr Sgardelis. Mr Liu taught us all about the quartz rocks in the area and a few students even got to take some specimens home. We had some gaga ball champions in the camp’s new gaga ball pit and some of the students even taught Ms Ditchburn how to play netball (I’m tall but I’m still not very good, thanks for the tips girls!). 

7A, 7F, 7G, 7H, and 7J headed off on Wednesday and after a little detour arrived at camp safe and sound. They immediately jumped into their activities, and I’m happy to report that nobody got lost in the maze! The ‘storms’ (aka our peer buddies) were particularly strong up at hut building and our students rose to the challenge, building some amazing huts that were (almost) waterproof. 

After a marshmallow toast and walk on Wednesday night, there were games galore on Thursday night – I hear Mr Trewella even went for a late-night dip in the dam. Camp 2 ended with Yabby Person and the batons were carried with pride (even with some interference from Mr Hollard).

A big thank you to Ms Latanzio and Ms Mcarthur who led the second camp. Huge thank you to Mrs Doyle in the Health Centre who organised our medication and chased up 220 camp forms. Thanks as well to Ms Winter in the W-block office for her support with forms, payments and organisation. 

It was such a privilege to be able to travel out of Melbourne and spend time together and it was great to see our young people continue to build their Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Team Work. 

Anna Ditchburn

Year 7 Coordinator