From Esther, Year 4 Teacher

Anglesea Surf Camp - 21 - 25 February

Excited and enthusiastic Year 4 students went on their first school camp to Anglesea and were blessed with beautiful weather every day! It was action-packed with plenty of activities to keep the students and teachers busy and engaged. The camp was also a great opportunity for students to bond with peers and the teachers, as well as develop independence away from home for a few days.

Students worked in pairs to canoe through the waterways, and under tricky bridges in Coogoorah Reserve. Later, they explored the bush tracks on mountain bikes, braving gravel roads and hordes of mosquitoes. They tested their steering skills by navigating through narrow dirt tracks, with most narrowly avoiding trees.

Looking like a pack of seals in their wetsuits, the students carried surfboards to the sand to learn how to surf by three skilled instructors from ‘Go Ride a Wave’. For some, it was their first time at the beach. For others, it was their first time on a surfboard, while for others it was an opportunity to test their surfing skills by trying more challenging tricks such as the ‘the switch’ (changing the feet stance to 180 degrees, whilst balancing on the board) and ‘the coffin’ (kneeling on the board then quickly switching to lie down, all whilst riding the wave!) .

Students were also able to practise their communication skills in small groups with the team-building exercises like the low ropes course, balancing beams, group-walking stilts and the pipe marble run.

Many compliments were given to the camp chef, Roger, who provided delicious meals and desserts - spaghetti bolognese, fish and chips, apple crumble and warm choc chip banana muffins were just a few yummy delights. After all the day’s activities, students and teachers were ravenous, and some went back for second servings!

On the bus trip home, quite a few were tired and snuck in naps, where they most likely were dreaming of the fun experiences that they had at Anglesea!

A Compilation of quotes from the campers:

“1000 stars out of 10” said a very happy Phoebe.

“This is the best food ever!” said Helen.

“I’ve never had the chance to do archery, so it was really cool. I felt like Hawkeye!” - Ameer.

“I liked surfing because the waves were big and we got big surfboards to help us as they were easie.r” - Aarush

“I loved my cabin because I had so many funny people in my cabin.” - Mona

“I loved surfing because it was really challenging and really fun to stand up!” - Gwilym

“Canoeing was fun because there were so many bridges to go under and try and turn around!” - Winter

“I loved surfing. It was my first time and I learnt a lot. The coaches were really awesome!” -Harry

“I really enjoyed surfing. It was my first time and we went really fast with the waves. It was fun.”

- Raphael

“I love canoeing as it is a great team sport and super relaxing.” - Alexandra

“I enjoyed surfing because I stood up on my surfboard and surfed.” - Bentley

“I enjoyed surfing and archery. I had fun at archery as it was my first time and I was able to hit the board.” - Nia

From the Italian room