Y9 Camp/Urban Expeditions Week

During the last week of Term 2, our Year 9 students embarked on the ultimate choose-your-own adventure! They sailed at Corio Bay, went horse riding at Billabong Ranch in Echuca, hiked along the breathtaking Great Ocean Road, explored the wonders of Reef-to-Rainforest in Far North Queensland and immersed themselves in Melbourne's urban wonders. Unforgettable experiences empowering our students to discover their passions, embrace new challenges and create memories that will last a lifetime. Student reflections and photos below!

Sailing at Corio Bay

Our favourite part of our camp was sailing on the smaller boats in groups of three where we faced multiple challenges such as sailing against the wind and sailing around the courses that they gave us. We cooked our own food and dinners in the camp kitchen and played lots of games when we weren’t sailing. Another highlight for us was going in the speedboats around the bay and seeing a pack of dolphins. Overall, it was a really great camp and everyone enjoyed themselves a lot. By Lauren S & Esme W

Reef/Rainforest

A group of about 60 of us where fortunate enough to escape Melbourne’s winter and get up to Far North Queensland for 11 days. We were based in Cairns and travelled to many other places from there. We had adventures to the Daintree Rainforest to learn about the indigenous culture at Mossman Gorge. We swam in Josephine Falls and Milla Milla Falls. We had an overnight stay at Woodleigh Cattle Station and learnt how to crack whips and throw boomerangs. A highlight for many was our day snorkelling on the Outer Great Barrier Reef where we swam with reef sharks and turtles. Not forgetting a visit to Fitzroy Island to experience the Turtle Rehab Centre and a day at James Cook University in Townsville. There were plenty of learning experiences for us such as Coral Watch experiments at Green Island, tree planting in the Daintree and a deadly species lecture at James Cook University. 

Something I didn’t know before going on this camp was that the Daintree Rainforest is home to over 3000 species of plants and contains 395 species that are either considered rare or threatened. The Daintree Rainforest is huge, totalling over 1200 square kilometres in size and is believed to be over 135 million years old.

This trip was a massive success and something I would recommend to next year's Year 9’s. We all learnt a lot, had plenty of laughs and had an amazing time seeing this stunning part of Australia. By Cooper H

Billabong Ranch

The Year 9 horse riding camp started on the Monday of the last week of Term 2. Amongst traffic jams, rental problems and breaks for lunch, we arrived late at the camp by two hours. Once we arrived however, things moved fairly quickly. On the first day we settled into our rooms, took a beginners riding lesson as well as a tour of the grounds after dark. After a cold night and a cold morning, we went on a two-hour horse ride where the guides told us about how the floods from November last year effected the land in the area. We only had a quick break back at the camp before we set off again for a carriage ride around the farmland surrounding the camp. After dinner one of the guides put on a fire spinning show while we all relaxed around the campfire. We had an outdoor movie night to end the day. On the Wednesday we had our last horse ride and our first camel ride, said goodbye to the staff and ended the trip on a high note with a stop for KFC on the way home. By Sophie R

Great Ocean Road Hike

Urban Expeditions Week

I want to share our incredible experience on the Urban Expeditions camp where we explored the city and had a blast while doing so. During our Urban Expeditions week in Melbourne, we embarked on an incredible adventure exploring the city. We began with a guided tour of Melbourne's lively laneways, delving into its rich history. Next, we conquered new heights through indoor rock climbing and marvelled at the fascinating marine world at the Aquarium. Our competitive spirit was unleashed at Fortress Gaming, followed by breathtaking panoramic views from the Melbourne Skydeck. A relaxing river cruise along the Yarra River provided a serene perspective, while a spirited bowling session strengthened our bonds with classmates. The exhilarating escape room challenged our problem-solving skills, and a visit to the historic Melbourne Gaol offered a glimpse into the city's darker past. Finally, we immersed ourselves in Australia's sporting heritage at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Sports Museum. Our Urban Expeditions week was an unforgettable blend of exploration, camaraderie, and thrilling experiences, creating lasting memories in Melbourne. By Sonny T