Year 8

Term 2

Is the term set aside for the Year 8 camps.  All nine Homerooms venture down to Phillip Island and stay at Cypress Lodge, the school house.  The camps are an opportunity for classmates to get to know each other better, as well as having great fun and experiencing challenging activities: underwater hockey, surfing, 20 km bike ride, high ropes courses and a visit to the Vietnam War Museum.  The following eight Class Captains have written about their camp experience.

On Tuesday  April 30, 8.5 went on camp to our school house, Cypress Lodge on Phillip Island where we spent 3 days doing all sorts of activities.  One of the most memorable activities was visiting the Vietnam War Museum where we got to see war craft that was used in the Vietnam War.  There were also guns that were used in the war.   We also did underwater hockey which was really fun. We had to hit a puck into a goal whilst using snorkels. Overall, camp was a great experience and was a great few days to ourselves.        Jake Porto (8.5)

Year 8 camp was lots of fun.  We went on a bike ride with an amazing view of the wetlands and French Island behind it.  Surfing was also exciting.  We got to go in the water 13 boys at a time whilst the rest of the class was having fun on the shore.  Whilst surfing, some of us could stand up but the ones who did not definitely did not stop trying.  Overall Year 8 camp was fantastic and I can say on behalf of the class the only problem was that it should have gone longer.       Sam Feekman (8.5)

On camp, two activities that I enjoyed were the surfing/boogie boarding and playing pool against Ms Moloney.   For the surfing/boogie boarding, we went down to Smith’s Beach. I personally chose to boogie board because I felt it was more fun and I wouldn’t change my decision now.   On the second day I think some of us were in the water for about just under 2 hours.  The reward for beating Ms Moloney and Travis Wellman was a canteen voucher. Nathan and I were the only duo that lost against Ms Moloney and Travis and the only team to play and not get the prize.   Overall the camp was really fun especially boogie boarding.         Max Oldham (8.2)

Two of the things I enjoyed the most on camp were the 20 km bike ride and the breakfast.  To start the second day, the day of the bike ride, we had a delicious breakfast featuring some magnificent, juicy bacon with runny eggs and toast.  It was very well cooked thanks to Mr Anderson.  We then went on the bus to get to the bike pick-up point.  We didn’t spend too long there because we had to get a move on due to our big breakfast.  We all started as a pack and slowly thinned out into single file, admiring the beautiful scenery of Philip Island.  On the way up to lunch, we all earnt ourselves a Coke at dinner time for riding up a very steep hill. 20 out of the 23 of us made it!  We had an amazing lunch of sausages cooked by Ms Moloney and cordial to fuel our ride to the end.  We all got back safe and sound, with only a few punctured tyres!              Nathan Murphy (8.2)

Year 8 camp is a test of manhood for all the boys.  We are all out of our comfort zone and trying new things.   For some boys that’s surfing and for others the giant swing which stands at a staggering 18 metres high.  Personally this camp was my favourite because I didn't hold back from anything and tried all activities and so did most of the other boys.  My highlight of the camp was watching classmates go on the giant swing and I've never heard the sounds that came out of their mouths but it was hilarious and all I remember is laughing in stitches on the ground and couldn’t get up.  Another highlight was Nick Flockart surfing like a god.  It all sadly came to an end when we jumped on the bus for the last time and headed back to school to be dismissed.           William Snowden (8.6)

The thing that I enjoyed the most about camp was the Phillip Island Adventure Park and going on the giant swing and all the other high ropes challenges.  It was also great to try other activities like playing pool for the first time or surfing for the first time.  You get to eat really nice food and you get to buy some snacks in Cowes for the movie night.  All and all, camp was a fun experience and it is a time I will never forget.              Kaydn Burgess (8.6)

Our class thoroughly enjoyed camp.  We were extremely lucky with the last of the amazing weather - it was sunny and warm.   All the boys loved going out for walks in our free time or going surfing with the teachers.  Our class had the honour of being the first camp in which Mr Anderson’s two beagle dogs came along.   Even though they woke us up at 6 in the morning, having the dogs around was very amusing.  We went on a 20 km bike ride where we were joined by many mozzie bites.  We also visited the Vietnam War Museum that houses many planes and objects from the war.  Being able to learn about the war history was really interesting.   Overall camp was a really great experience and an enjoyable few days spent with our class mates packed with loads of fun and action.            Dylan Collins (8.8)

Camp was an amazing experience with a wide range of diverse and exciting activities from the 20km bike ride that took us riding on road dirt paths and grass to surfing in amazing weather to visiting the Vietnam War Museum to watching a movie of our choice.  They all had something different to offer even the free time at camp was amazing though everyone just played pool and table tennis.  Camp has strengthened everyone’s friendships and we are grateful for going.        Tom Foster (8.8)

More photos of the 8.5 camp

Carmel Moloney

Year 8 Coordinator