Leadership Centre

Curriculum- Camp Edition! 

We are sure we weren't the only ones who found it challenging to get to sleep on Monday night. The excitement levels were very high in the build up to Camp Coonawarra! Make a cuppa because this week's newsletter is a long one! 

Day One 

On Tuesday morning, students began arriving nice and early with their suitcases, pillows and sleeping bags ready for a fun-filled week ahead. As classroom teachers counted attendance we said goodbye to our families and boarded the buses destined for Camp Coonawarra Farm Resort! After about an hour and a half on the buses we had our first stop in a town called Stratford, where we ate our lunches, played on the playground and had a much needed toilet stop. We boarded the buses again and began the final part of our journey. 

It was eye opening driving through the flood affected towns and paddocks as we reflected again how lucky we were to be able to attend camp after the storm. 

“Are we there yet?” was a pretty popular question after our first stop and finally we were! We unloaded our luggage and made our way to the picnic tables, a meeting place we would come together each day, before each session and listen to the camp staff explain the day. We were given a tour of the campsite and explained how some of the activities, such as archery, would run over the next two days. Afterwards, students had some time in their cabins to make their beds and change if they needed too for our first activity - Hut Building! A short but muddly, hilly walk away from the main campsite we found a large hut building site with large sticks and branches ready to be constructed. In our Activity 

Groups, students began to create structurally safe and waterproof shelters hoping to win and keep dry! Before completing the water test, in groups students had to think of a ‘story’ as to why they needed to build their hut. These stories varied from ‘drop bears’ to ‘evil teachers’ with the huts acting as safe spaces for the groups- these were enjoyed by all and there were some very creative and humorous stories. 

The teachers were given the important task of dropping the buckets of water onto the huts with the groups inside. This was really enjoyable for the teachers, apart from Miss Campbell who had Mr Shaw’s 

bucket go over the hut and onto her instead!! 

For dinner on night one, we met Rudolph the amazing camp chef who made chicken schnitzels, veggie pastries, chips and salad. Students were pleasantly surprised with their first meal and this continued each meal time with some students quoting “this is the best food I’ve ever had!”. After dinner, we played torch games and sat by the fire with Mr Shaw and his guitar where we made up a new song called ‘Coonawarra’ - I wonder if your child remembers the tune? It had been a big day and after brushing our teeth it was time for lights out before another busy day planned for tomorrow.

Day Two

It was a very early start for some of the cabins Wednesday morning with students up and chatting in their cabins at 5:30am! Luckily Mr Burrill was taking Running Club for those keen to keep up their fitness throughout the week. After breakfast, students organised themselves for their four activities planned for the day ahead and met back down at the 

picnic tables. 

Roxy, the Coonawarra Team Leader, ran through each activity and where each group needed to go. The activities ran at 9am, 11am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm. With morning tea and lunch breaks in between. 

One of the big highlights from the morning was hearing about how Mr Shaw slipped into the lake… twice... during his group's canoeing activity. He was soaked and needed to change before the following activity. And before you ask, no sadly, there is no footage. At 3:30pm groups set off to their final activity for the day but unfortunately, they weren’t there long. After a few loud rumbles of thunder, Camp staff members were required to call off the last activity and we prepared for a storm to pass through. Luckily, we had our awesome camp booklets made by Mrs Brisbane and we were able to have some down time completing those, playing board games and listening to Miss Campbell’s amazing (well she thinks so) music before packing up for dinner. 

After dinner it was time for the infamous ‘Night of Drama’ hosted by the one and only King of drama- Mr Shaw. A few clever students had quickly prepared short ‘skits’ to perform - most that imitated teachers in 5/6 which was extremely funny. Mr Burrill even impersonated a very accurate Mr Shaw in the classroom and the 5/6 teachers performed ‘Things you never hear in the Leadership Centre’ which also got many laughs. In between the performances, brave volunteers got up and acted in some improvisation drama games such as ‘Change’ and ‘Space Jump’. It was a great way to spend the cold, rainy night before bedtime. 

Day Three 

It was the last day of the rotational activities and we were thrilled to be waking up to blue skies and sunshine! We were feeling extremely grateful for the forecast so far on this trip!  

It was another early start for many cabins and once again Mr Burrill took a group of eager students running. Only this time they ventured a bit further and watched the horses gallop down the paddock and into another section of the camp on their own. It was definitely an amazing moment that Miss Walker was able to capture- if you haven’t already - check it out on Instagram! Winding down until dinner, students often had about an hour ‘free time’ with the GaGa Ball Pit proving the most popular, along with the table tennis table and other sports equipment. 

After tacos for dinner, students changed into their PJs and gathered their sleeping bags and pillows ready for the Movie Night where weeks prior they had chosen ‘The Mitchell’s vs The Machines’ a new movie. The movie finished and there were lots of laughs shared, it was the lights out for the final time of our trip.

Day Four  

Easily the saddest day of our trip, it was home time and time to leave the remarkable Iguana Creek. To top things off, as predicted it was drizzling all morning which made it difficult to enjoy ‘free time’ after packing up our rooms. We had delicious pancakes for breakfast and then had one final clean and check of our cabins. We met all together again at the picnic tables with Roxy and the Coonawarra crew where they asked us to go out 

behind the picnic tables and onto the grassy area. We were in the perfect spot for an echo and on the countdown of 3, we yelled “Hip, hip, hooray” and listened to our voices carry through the camp and surrounding hills- it was an unbelievable final experience to share with our camp leaders. Finally, the buses arrived and we packed our things ready for the three hour trek home. It wasn’t long before a few students and staff had a much needed nap until our lunch stop in Traralgon. We finally arrived at Mount Pleasant Road and were greeted by smiling parents, Mrs Streitberger and 3/4 students- we were home!     

All staff and students had the most magnificent experience and we felt and still feel extremely lucky to have been able to attend after the lockdown and storm. A HUGE thank you to Miss Walker for all her efforts in coordinating the whole camp and ensuring no detail was left behind. Another big thank you to Mrs Butterworth, Bu Mundy, Miss Moran, Miss Kitteringham and Ally who also joined the 5/6 teachers and made it a wonderful time for all the students.

Reminders

• iPads to be charged at home each day
• Swimming program commences on the first day of Term 3
• 5/6 Gala Day postponed until the 27th of July

Student Voice

• Sophie R - "I loved the horse riding it was very fun and relaxing. I also liked the flying fox, you had a great view of the campsite"
• Shriya M - "The best moment of camp was when the 5/6 teachers did their act about things they would never say on, ‘a night of drama’
• Harish U - "I liked jumping in the lake with Russell, Conrad and Jacob"
• Josiah N  - "My favourite activity during camp was the giant swing"

Pupil of the Week

5/6C: Brock W -

For displaying bravery and determination throughout Camp. Well done on giving the activities a go even when you were unsure. It was great to see you challenge yourself Brock- you should be proud of your efforts! 

5/6W: Wahaj A -

For demonstrating a high level of engagement on 5/6 Camp. You displayed perseverance and curiosity when completing all activities, particularly Horse Riding and High Ropes. It was great to see you embrace so many different opportunities offered to you, Wahaj! Well done!

5/6B: Lily H - 

For displaying perseverance and bravery when participating in the activities on Camp. Congratulations on stepping outside your comfort zone and taking on challenges you may have been unsure of, it was great to see the happiness you had after completing these challenges. Well done Lilly. 

5/6SB: Alisha -

For displaying bravery and teamwork on the Coonawarra Camp. It was a joy to see you smiling during horse riding, laughing during the high ropes and working hard during canoeing. Great work Alisha, we hope you enjoyed a wonderful camp experience.