9-12 Community News
Units 1/2 and 3/4 Alpine Experience
On 16th July, we departed from the school at 6:30am. On our way to our accommodation, we stopped at Mount Beauty Education Centre to learn about the local history and the hydro system.
After arriving at Howmans Gap, Units 1/2 students geared up into their cross-country skiing gear and headed to Falls Creek, while the Units 3/4 students prepared themselves for their downhill ski lesson. For many of the Units 1/2 students, it was their first time at the snow, so there were lots of excitement and some nerves. We were very happy when we heard we did not need to use the chair lifts today! After some little slips and laughs, we soon got the hang of snow ploughing and turning on the ski’s in preparation for our cross-country adventure tomorrow around the lake. Wednesday came and we headed out to the cross-country circuit where we trekked over 10kms in some very windy, low visibility and cold weather.
The Units 3/4 students headed into the Falls Creek Village to participate in a scavenger hunt to familiarise ourselves with the village. We then headed to get fitted for our skis, boots and helmets to prepare us for our first downhill lesson. Our instructor was great, providing us with some helpful tips to get us prepared for our few days ahead. After a few big falls and spills, it was obvious that our skills were definitely improving as the trip went on. The next two days were big days filled with a whole day of skiing, each day starting off with a lesson to continue developing the skills of downhill skiing. Many of the students were a little hesitant to ski down blue runs and were happy to ski on Wombats, a green run, for the majority of the time. However, we overcame our fear of the mountain being a little steeper on a blue run and stepped outside our comfort zones. By the end of the four days we were all very comfortable skiing down blue runs and were very pleased with our accomplishments on this trip.
On Wednesday night we had a guest speaker from Parks Victoria. Kevin shared his role as a Park Ranger and gave us an insight to the Alpine environment, including the uniqueness of the flora and fauna and how to adapt to the climate. We fell in love with the little pygmy possum which we learnt about back at school. Kevin explained both the positive and negative effects of recreation activities on the environment. We looked at the current threats to the environment and its native fauna and flora and what is currently being done to reduce the damage. Kevin was very engaging and full of information that will help us provide different examples when it comes to our assessments.
Thursday morning came, with some bruises and sore muscles. We were all keen for our last day of the trip, with the Units 1/2 students heading into their very first downhill ski experience. We conquered the chair lift and headed into our lesson. When we arrived at the top, the views were incredible! It was the best day all week. The sky was clear and you could see for miles. We saw the huge Rocky Valley Lake that the Units 1/2 students had trekked around the previous day and immediately felt proud of our accomplishments. It was a bluebird day!
We started on Mousetrap, we learnt the basics about turning and snow ploughing and reinforced the Alpine ski environment. We all graduated from ski school and headed down our very first downhill slope which was called Wombat. At first, it was a bit scary but we got our confidence up and were skiing well so we headed down again before tackling another blue run. It was an amazing day that tested both our mental and physical strength.
On our final day, we stretched our tired and sore legs to view Fainter Falls, another spectacle in this amazing environment.
What a fabulous experience we all shared together. To experience a different environment, participate in recreational activities that aren't possible in Kyabram, to push ourselves both physically and mentally, work together as a team to conquer treks, chairlifts and runs and to share so many laughs together on a trip we will always remember. We are already looking forward to next year! We would like to thank Miss Brereton, Miss Pinnuck, Mrs Darling and Alex Darling for assisting us on the trip.
Units 1/2 Outdoor and Environmental students:
Tailah Rennie, Jackson Bray, Brodie Morris, Pippa Grabham, Hannah Hocking, Blake McMeeken and James Kour
Units 3/4 Outdoor environmental studies students:
Molly Carver, Sam Cipriani, Callum Ryan, Cameron Boal, Zanthia Bowles, Madeleine Willsher, Kate Grills, Julian Luvara, Georgia Steele and Jewell Old
Year 12 English
On Tuesday 23rd July, St Augustine's and Kyabram P-12 Year 12 students had the privilege of viewing a live theatre production by The Eagles Nest Production Company, comparing 'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller and 'Year of Wonders' by Geraldine Brooks, in preparation for their comparative SAC and end-of-year exam. A special thanks to Loretta Richardson for organising this event.
Year 12 Literature
On Wednesday 31st July, Year 12 Literature students attended the Melbourne Theatre Company's production of 'Shakespeare In Love' at The Melbourne Arts Centre. Students are about to complete their literary perspectives on 'The Twelfth Night' by William Shakespeare in preparation for the end-of-year exam. The count down is on!