Some weeks have passed but we have only just been able to catch our breath from the amazing Year 9 Endeavour programme that kicked off this term. Five groups of students embarked on their 9-day expedition weaving through the West Macdonnell Ranges.

Since 2020, St Philip’s College has been focusing on a group of Corkwoods along the Hugh River road that are extremely important in the biodiversity and are under threat of the surrounding buffel grass. These beauties are quite old and the Year 9s (together with the Year 11s) were involved in a group activity of working towards protecting these trees.

On Day 1, groups broke up the walk with an activity of clearing the debris from the floods caught at the base of the corkwoods. A 20-30 minute burst of work for each group of students reaped some massive benefits and no longer do these trees have large piles of fuel at their base anymore.

Year 9 Endeavour is the first of the Outdoor Education Programme where students are largely responsible for their own gear as well as group gear. It takes a few days for students to feel comfortable with their packs and so it is great to break up, what can feel like the demanding walks, with loads of activities. This program is nothing but boring!

Students are working in their communities to run the days, they take part in orienteering, initiative games, reflection times, cold water swimming and raft building, taking in scenic views on one of the best sections of the iconic Larapinta Trails (Razorback), and fuel up on roast chicken!

This year our Ropes Course took a complete make-over due to all of our attachments in the trees being washed away by the last floods. It took some creative thinking and fortunately we could still make it happen as this is a fun activity for the groups. It is always great to see the limber Davey Tudor demonstrating best practice on the obstacles.

Around this same day, students are engaging culturally and for many it is their first time learning how to prepare and have roo tail for dinner. It is definitely an activity where some students shine, and it's great to have students in the groups who know the secrets to cooking roo tail, as it can be delicious!

After a few big days, a highlight for many after a sleep in and some porridge can be the abseil. It is super great to spend this time up on the abseil getting to chat to almost every student about how they are travelling and their highlights. Whilst many are definitely beyond their comfort zone up the top, the enjoyment of finally overcoming their fear and going down the abseil has them coming back for more! Students have the opportunity to go down several times, each time trying something new, like Star Fish, Perentie, Upside Down Push Ups – the options are endless! For some, getting to the top and checking out the view of Spencer Gorge, Brinkley Bluff, and where they have been is enough.

Throughout the program, it is fantastic to see the transformations of individual students and the groups – starting to appreciate the beauty of their surroundings and move through the environment with ease – engaging in patience, providing support for their peers, working to each other's strengths and enjoying the company of those they may rarely interact with. Many students will use this experience now as part of their Bronze Duke of Ed award.

Many thanks to all the staff who made it possible in 2022 – including David Atkins, Davey Tudor, Steve Kimber, Stacey Gill, Jake Akmens, Felicity Dowdell, Patsy Ryan-Betts, Sam Glegg and William Phelps.

~ Emma Shearer

Assistant to Head of Students

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