7/8 Camp Week
Candlebark Farm, Healesville
On Friday 23 April, our Years 7 and 8 students returned home from what proved to be a fabulous time at Candlebark Farm in Healesville. We left on Tuesday morning in the pouring rain but, despite this, our students brought with them a sense of humour and showed great resilience towards being outside. The Gaga Ball activity was a huge hit on the first day and we could often find students playing this in their free time throughout the rest of the week. (We believe there is a campaign by the students to get our own pit at the School.)
At dusk and dawn each day the farm was filled with kangaroos and birdlife; a wonderful calming place to wake up to each day. Over the next few days, the students participated in activities that included a low ropes course, mega games, a boundary walk, rock climbing, canoeing, damper making and archery. The star attraction of the week, however, was the Super Swooper; a 500m zip line that passed over the farm.
Our last day was spent at Healesville Sanctuary. The students enjoyed seeing the native wildlife and learning about natural habitats, endangered species and conservation strategies. We were proud of the way our students engaged with the wildlife keepers and general public while exploring the sanctuary. We attended the Spirts of the Skies bird show as the different kinds of birds closely swooped the students’ heads, wrestling in a few squeals and laughter.
As Coordinators, we were blown away by the level of support and encouragement given by our students towards each other on activities or moments they found challenging. This in turn encouraged a high participation rate and a positive and friendly environment for the week. The purpose of the camp was to consolidate already formed friendships and to encourage new ones. We feel the camp was highly successful with this and a nice surprise was the number of inter year level friendships we saw blossom.
Lastly, we’d like to publicly thank the staff who took time away from their own home lives and families to attend camp. Without their energy, support and sense of fun, the camp would not have been the great success that it was.
Beth Alvarez, Year 7 Coordinator
beth.alvarez@preshl.vic.edu.au
Anthony Cavagna, Year 8 Coordinator