The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though they may stumble, they will not fall,
for the Lord upholds them with his hand.

Psalm 37:23–24

Resilience is one of those qualities that adolescent psychologists have theorised about for the past several decades. Resilience simply means the ability to experience something difficult and bounce back afterwards. We are able to draw upon our store of resilience when things get tough, and at the same time build up that store of resilience for the future.

Year 8 Camp

No doubt the experience of the Year 8 Camp in the final week of Term 2 enabled our Year 8 students to make a big deposit into their bank of resilience. Despite freezing cold, persistent mud and almost constant rain, the students participated in all the activities with enthusiasm, good humour and warrior spirit. They were cared for by an outstanding group of staff, who went above and beyond in trying conditions.

In a strange kind of way this year level gained more from their camp than previous groups. Other groups went in late August, when conditions were much easier and less challenging. The 2022 group had to overcome significant difficulties, which will help them to confidently approach future challenges such as exams and other personal challenges they may face.

Below are reflections from three Year 8 girls on their camp experiences:

“Year 8 Camp was an amazing experience as it really pushed all of us out of our comfort zones to try something new as well as connecting as a year level. Some of the activities that we did on camp were abseiling, the drop slide, rock climbing, the flying fox and many more. We also completed a series of team-building activities to help us get to know one another as well as meet new people. During our stay at the camp, we learnt some survival skills and got really in touch with nature. Overall, the camp was an amazing opportunity and I enjoyed every part of it.”   

Elizabeth Jones
Year 8

“In the last week of Term 2, all Year 8 students at Kilbreda participated in Triple E Week. During this week we went on a three-day camp at Valley Homestead. Over our stay, we faced situations where we were forced to challenge ourselves and try new things. We participated in team activities that got us to collaborate and problem solve. At camp, we got the chance to meet new people and spend time as a year level. Overall, Year 8 Camp was a great experience, and I loved every moment of it.“

Isla Busuttil
Year 8

“Screaming alarms, frosted noses but most importantly anticipation for three hectic, yet enjoyable days. This was how the morning of Monday 20 June (Camp 1) and Wednesday 22 June (Camp 2) sounded, as we were ready for an amazing Year 8 camp; ‘Triple E Week; (explore, experience, excite), after an exhausting second term at Kilbreda. I, being part of Homeroom 49, was on Camp 1 along with Homerooms 50 to 52 as well as half of Homeroom 60. After an almost four-hour bus ride, we finally arrived at Happy Valley Homestead Camp in Ovens. Once settled into our cabins and grabbing some lunch, we went straight into our activities.

The whole camp participated together in a ‘lateral thinking activity’, where we collaborated as a team to solve challenges and be able to trust each other when some of senses, such as sight, were eliminated for that task. Afterwards, we got into our camp groups and engaged in some more fun but thrilling activities, like abseiling, vertical challenge, free fall slide, bush survival, and the aerial obstacle course, my personal favourite! Our night activities also didn’t lack excitement, with a reflector light hunt leading us to a campfire of roasted marshmallows as well as a trivia night which finished off with a teacher v student dance off.

Overall, fun activities, great camp food and fond memories led to an amazing school camp where we learnt that getting pushed out of our safety net, broadening our horizons and exploring our options wasn’t a bad thing after all.  Having just commenced our second semester, we were now fully ready to be brave, brazen and bold.”  

Rhiannan Marie-Jeanne
Year 8

VNA Netball Competition

Congratulations to both Junior Netball teams for their great achievements at the Victorian Netball Association competition this week, particularly the A team who were undefeated and will now compete in the final in September at the State Netball Centre.

STEM MAD

Congratulations and best wishes also to the girls competing in the STEM MAD competition this week. Their creative work has been outstanding and they have been ably led by Ms Adrienne Donoghue, Learning Leader: Digital Technologies and Homeroom Teacher of 8-51.

Bill Fitzsimons
Level Leader: Year 8