We were so thrilled to be able to take the Year 6 students away for a 5 day camp last week… their first camp in 2 years! There was much anticipation, some nerves and a lots of excitement in the lead up to what was a fantastic week at Phillip Island Adventure Resort. Here are some student reflections of their experiences… we hope you can feel the emotion as you read them!

Camp recounts

Once the sixth person was getting off the swing, I had already lined myself up with my harness on ready to go, though the butterflies in my stomach had recharged their batteries and were going crazy, all the nerves came rushing back and I started to sweat and shake like crazy. I told myself to stay calm and not panic in front of the others because the last time I got scared on the flying fox kept teasing me and it was really annoying so I didn’t want that to happen again. I seemed to be focused on positive thoughts and how it will not malfunction or collapse or fall or break and all the fun that I was going to have. When I stepped into the roped off area, it all became a bit to real, I started shaking uncontrollably and my nerves were out of control! To distract myself I tightened my helmet strap and fiddled with the straps on my harness, it wasn’t really working for me, all I could think about was getting dropped from the height of 18 metres.

Imogen 6A

I had small droplets of tears going down my face because I was scaring myself with all the bad possibilities, but then Immi yelled, ‘Grace you can do it!’ and I completely forgot about the thoughts I was having. Once I’d been clipped onto the rope I started being pulled up. I was absolutely PETRIFIED. I was frozen because I was so scared. I looked at the ground although my friends told me not to and I yelled, ‘STOP!’, everyone stopped and the instructor checked to make sure if I wanted to go any higher and I said, ‘maybe a little higher’, the teachers laughed because they were shocked that, that would’ve been my response considering I didn’t even want to go on the swing.

Grace Fry 6A

Monday the 15th of November it was the day I was going to year 6 camp, a lot of the time I didn’t really like camp but today I HAD to try it out, so I got ready so I could get to school before 8:30 so I could get on the bus I wasn’t really confident about camp because it was a whole five days without my mum and dad. It hit 9:30 and it was time to go on the bus all I could think about was missing my parents and waiting for a whole two hours without anyone next to me nor anything to entertain me so I was stuck bored for 2 hours.

FINALLY we were at Phillip island and the bus was turning right into the adventure resort.

Eventually it was time to do our first activity the Giant swing!

The swing was huge it could take you 18 meters into the sky! Isn’t that crazy!

The first person to go on was harry we didn’t get him very high enough because for the most of us it was our first time but when he dropped we all got terrified we just had thought we had all thought harry had just died and was going to drop to his death but really it was all apart of the swing and he was fine.

Aria 6B

Camp recount

15th – 20th

The birds chirped. My dream came to a stop. I was in a very light sleep. It was around 30 minutes before my alarm was set to go off. At 6am it is very dark outside. I open my window to let a cold draft of air into my room, it was now very cold and my feet went numb. I tip toed down the stairs trying not to make much noise. The house echoed as I made myself breakfast. It was hard to control my hands when I was this excited. By the time I was dressed it was still dark. I was bored.

“Mum come on we need to go!’’ I said starting to get stressed.

‘’We don’t need to rush, we have plenty of time’’ Mum said calmly

‘’ Hey Girls, were are your bags?’’ I asked, struggling to hold mine. It was packed, I had to squeeze through people as Maddy showed me to their bags. It was all happening. There were photos and some tears. Mostly all smiles and hugs. It came to goodbyes. I gave Sonny and Mum a big hug. Then they headed of down the street.

The Giant Swing

‘’ girls don’t worry its not that bad’’ Saihaj said as a small smile crept across her face. Maddy smirked at Saihaj. It was a cold breezy day with the sun playing hide and seek. They had already gone so the both of them were giving us a whole documentary on what happens. I was starting to get worried. I didn’t trust Saihaj and Maddy and there smirking. I’m not normal scared of heights but this was a different level. I think it was because of the drop. I also think it was the build up to the moment, everyone had their own opinion on how scary it is.

Everyone had gone. It was my turn. My palms started sweating. I knew I had to do this. Mainly because I would regret it if I didn’t. I had Ells chattering away in my right ear and the wind howling like a wolf in my left. Then I got called up. My stomach was dancing. The lovely lady asked my name and I replied with a shaky ‘harper‘. My nerves had calmed down but not all the way. It was just like that, the rope was pulling me up. The view was beautiful but that’s not what I was thinking about.

3…2…1…PULL!!!!!!!!

My stomach dropped. I felt paralysed, like I could move or talk. Somehow I managed to scream, really loudly. I was still really high. That was insane.

I would for sure to that again. In the end it was a really fun experience. I was very grateful to be able to go and to the teachers who came and made it even more fun.

Harper 6B

The Giant Swing And Some Other Stuff

When I first got to school I was nervous, I had bad situations bubbling around my head… yeah I’m a worrier 😅, my probably noticed all the stuff flying around my mind by my facial expression, or he just took a guess. He started talking probably trying to get me to calm down, and to be honest I really thought he was about to say something amazing, something that would make all the nerves disappear instantly, but he didn’t, instead he said “this reminds me off my first army camp.” Like did I really need him to compare a school camp to a camp the trains people to fight😃. After a second of taken in what he told me, I laughed inside, I could really tell he tried, after that he started making connections between the two, I’m still wondering how he thought saying that would help…but in a way is kind of did help.

I don’t remember most of the bus ride mostly cause I was asleep like the whole time 😅, but I do remember driving into the resort and realising it would be my home for a week…well that and when I got awoken for snack?. Well not long after that we were taking our bags to our knew rooms, I felt pretty comfortable with my cabin, I was with, Mia, milli, Aaliyah and Aria, we were in ‘room 21’, after we settled in and had lunch and something else i can’t remember, we lined up in are activity groups, everyone k shared a room with where in the same group as me which I was happy/grateful for, once we were all lined up we started heading off, my group was going to the ✨big swing✨. Once we got there we were told all the safety rules and blah blah blah a bunch of boring stuff…or I just can’t remember but no one will know that, no, not at all🙂.

I Remember my first thought was…well my second one cause we all know the first thought was ALWAYS ‘wow that’s ✨BIG✨’ like it’s called a big swing for a reason, well anyway my second thought was that it looked A LOT and I mean A LOT safer than the other one I was on last time, yeah…I’m still shocked I survived that one 🥶.

Soon I was being buckled up in the gear getting ready to go on something that looked like a death machine, OH BUT DON’T WORRRRRY its PeRfEcTlY sAfE.

Gemma 6B

GIANT SWING RECOUNT

When I tell you that the giant swing was one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever done, I mean it.

Waiting on the bench, I could almost feel the burger I’d hungrily devoured that lunch rising in my stomach. As a self-proclaimed thrillseeker, with no real material fears, I was slightly taken aback at how twisted my insides felt.

“Don’t be silly, Isabelle,” I thought to myself. “If you can handle the Power Surge, you can handle a giant swing.” Deep down, I knew I could. But that didn’t halt the flurry of nail biting, cuticle picking or leg tapping that rushed through anyway. “Pull yourself together.” I thought once more. And boy, I’m so glad that I did!

I tightened my harness. I screwed on my helmet. I snapped on my goggles. I must say, seeing one red-faced, grinning kid after another step off the ladder did offer me some sense of relief. Soon enough, I was being pulled up too.

“GULP.” I gulped.

“CLICK.” The carabiner clicked.

“PULL.” The others began to pull. There was no going back now. I took a deep breath in. The air was fresh and cold as I was being hoisted toward the sky. For a moment, it felt as if time froze. I could see distant outlines of misty mountains, traces of lucid lakes, silhouettes of sleek houses. I felt like a bird, observing the world from up above. Suddenly, time started again.

I couldn’t believe I was 20 metres in the air when I came to a stop. My hands were glued to the neon orange strap.

“3” Millie began her countdown from below. I filled my lungs with chilly air. My heart was beating so fast I could hear it in my cold ears, feel it in my shaky chest.

“2” I gingerly peeled one clammy hand off the strap.

“1” I reached out for a little black rope in front of me. My pale fingers curled around it.

“Swing!” This was my one chance. I sent the slightest tug through my arm, and let me tell you, all of a sudden, I could believe I was 20 metres high. One of the most incredible jolts I had ever felt shot through my body as the tension broke, almost like an electric shock. The world sped up and slowed down as it felt as if I was free-falling for a split second. Then, on a redemption arc from the drop, I swung higher than I had ever swung before.

I clung onto that orange strap as my whole body was thrown backwards. I didn’t scream; my jaw just dropped open at the sheer amazement of this experience. The first swing, as you look over what seems like the whole world, can only be described as euphoric. I felt light as my eyes cascaded over the lake. I was incredibly high, then I dropped incredibly low as I watched the earth get closer and closer. I felt an ecstatic grin depart from my lips as slowly the swings got shorter and shorter, backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards. I felt incredible, free, flying.

When I stepped off that ladder, I was still pumped with adrenaline. What I would give to have another turn, although I knew that a second attempt wouldn’t have quite the same wow factor. I knew that giant swing was an experience I’d never, ever forget.

Izzy 6B

Giant Swing

As I got hooked up to the harness, I started to feel nervous. People started pulling and I started to go up. Once you’re at the top you get a view of the swimming pool. The instructor then yells out ‘3, 2, 1, pull!’ you then pull a little black rope and your stomach drops.

Because you go 18 m high you can’t control what happens to your legs, so they just flop around, I guess. The first couple of swings are quite scary because you are going so high but it’s also so fun at the same time. This was my favourite activity, I loved it!

It was a very fun experience and I am glad I went to the top.

Bushman’s Breakfast

When we did bushman’s breakfast at camp, it was awesome. Our instructor would give us some coal from the fire pit, and we would also get a tin that had been cut. She gave us mini frying pans to cook pancakes on. It was in groups of 2 or 3.

Once you had made a fire, with sticks and the coal, Holly (our instructor) would give us some pancake mix on the frying pans. It would slowly start cooking and you would have to keep the fire going the whole time.

We made 3 pancakes because there was 3 of us. Kyla, Holly and me. On my pancake I had jam. There was so much smoke that I think everyone got some in their eyes! They were very good and I had an amazing time making them.

Annie 6C

Bushman’s Breakfast

Bushman’s Breakfast, was one of the several activities that you would complete at camp. It was about making your own fire (with coals) to cook pancakes. You were allowed to choose groups with either 2 or 3 people for my group I was just with my best friend Archie. Together we made and ate a total of 10 delicious pancakes, I was the one who flipped the pancakes and Archie was the one who made the fire and kept it going. We were a really good team and made some yummy, tasty pancakes. The taste of each pancake was different in some way. For an example some were gooey, squishy, golden, perfect (etc). The pancakes that were perfectly cooked and were golden on each side, tasted the best. It was so good, however the least tasty one was the squishy/gooey one. Although we only had about one or two of those types it was still good.

Giant Swing

The giant swing is tied for first place as the best activity at came with bushman’s breakfast, how? Well let me explain. The giant swing is an 18-metre swing that well swings you. How it works is you are in a harness and get pulled up by people on the ground and the more they pull you go. However eventually you stop at the top or at some point when people are pulling you up you can say stop. Once you are at a curtain height and you want to go one of the staff shouts out “3...2...1… GO!” and you pull this black rope to make you drop.

Suddenly you start to swing in the air! It feels like your stomach jumps up & down over and over. Until eventually you start to get used to it and the swinging slows down until you stop and are back to where you started. When I did it a closed my eyes because I thought I was going to die. It felt like I was going to vomit but at the same time it felt amazing and so fun.

Zeke 6C

Twin flying fox

The flying fox was my first activity. I was very terrified but excited to go on the flying fox. Annie and I were putting on our harnesses and making them tight around the waist and legs. We then waited for everyone to have their turn that was in front of us and then time flew by so fast we had already started running up to the tower that was so high I got even anxious I was saying I’m not doing this. We climbed up and then got hooked on, the lady that did it for us had the same name as me. We started chatting trying to get our minds of it but then I was attached. We jumped and then we started going down but it was really slow I wish it went faster but it was so amazing I was so glad that I had a chance and that I actually had the confidence to do it. This activity was one of my favourite activities we had because I love flying foxes at normal parks near where I live. This camp was definitely the best last school camp ever I had so much fun!

Holly 6C

TWIN FLYING FOX

The twin flying fox was probably one of my favourite activities after the giant swing. For half of the time we just sit and watch other people go down. It is quite a long flying fox, it’s pretty adrenaline pumping and has an amazing view. You get clipped in to a harness and helmet and when the next people come down they drop a rope that you catch the rope so they stop. Then the teachers help them, then you get that rope and run up the course. You get pretty puffed because it is up hill and it is about 400m. You pass the rope to our leader, ours was Milli. Then you wait a few minutes so she can knot the people in before you. Once she is ready you climb up a long ladder she ties the rope on your harness. While she was tying Poppy to the rope, I looked out to the view and it was beautiful you could see the whole camp from the view. Milli held a rope then she said just walk off the platform. When we walked off Poppy let out a scream from how high we were. I let go of the rope straight away and leaned back like I was laying down. I took in the view because I knew I was only going once. The boys that had already gone said there is a dead bird that you see but I forgot to try and find it. I looked at Poppy and we burst out laughing but I don’t know why. When we finished Poppy got her harness off first and I was just hanging there. I realised that my harness was too tight around my waist because it was hurting very badly.

Lucy 6C

Giant Swing

My favourite activity by far was the giant swing. Before you went swinging in the air you had to put on a harness. A tight and very uncomfortable harness that caused you to wobble side to side instead of walking. As I was given my bright turquoise helmet and my dirty old goggles, I could feel my nerves start to kick in. When I was tied to the green, rough rope, and was slowly pulled up, I couldn’t help but look down. I could see the tops of people’s heads, the lake, the whole camp! And then I stopped. I had reached 18 meters but it felt more like 180. All I had to do was pull the short black stubby rope that hung in front of my chattering teeth and worried eyes. And so, I did. I swear there was a millisecond of just floating in mid-air, not falling, and then I fell. It felt like my soul was leaving my body when I fell. I could hear the wind in my ears and the sun on my face. It was incredible.

Julia 6D

Giant swing

When we were putting on all of our harnesses I couldn’t help but feel the tiniest bit nervous. I am usually terrified of heights. I can’t help but say that I am really proud of myself for doing all of the activities, even the ones that included the heights!

I didn’t even think about what was going to happen when I pulled the black rope, I just did. Millie (our instructor for the giant swing) screamed “1 ,2, SWING”. You had to pull the black rope on swing. I remember flying backwards and not even being able to scream because I was so shocked. On the first couple of swings I was too scared to let go but after that I threw a piece sign at Clem and we both did the renegade at the same time.

Hannah 6D

Tents

One night we were all trying to fall asleep in our tent, then we saw something on the wall climbing around, it was a BULL ANT! We were all screaming and whacking it. After several minutes of us trying to hit it, we got it out and we were safe, but we had to inform the teachers about what had just happened! They said we needed to go through our tent and see if there were any more around, do you know how hard that is considering we have ten girls, their items and the mats we sleep on!

Milla 6D

Giant swing

Getting attached and pulled up

The lady had to tighten my harness a lot (it was very painful) I walked along the concrete with excited butterfly’s in my stomach. I stood on the third step of the ladder as she attached my harness to the carabiner. All my nervousness just left, I just felt happy. Then without warning she moved the ladder, and I felt like I was going to fall onto the concrete below, I didn’t because the harness worked but it felt like I did. I got a little anxious when she started talking to me about the little black string and that when I pulled it I would drop. But I knew I wanted to do it. Then she walked off, my stomach dropped. She told my group to start pulling. My legs felt numb and I felt like I was flying. I looked around me, my heart went into my throat. I kept looking at the little black string in front of me and wondering if I was ready to pull it or not. She yelled stop to my group, 18 metres in the air. I felt like screaming. I was so excited. I hung there for what felt like minutes, hours even, but what my friends told me later was only seconds. The black string hanging in front of me, tempting me to pull it. Lifting my right sweaty arm from the orange band I clutched the black string, and I pulled it.

Clementine 6D

Circus Skills

Prep

Year 1

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6