The Year 9 students have been fortunate to participate in several activities including the BRIDGES to Country Camp, the Immersion Program, the House Swimming Carnival and for those studying the elective, The Duke of Edinburgh International Award, an overnight hike, recently.

BRIDGES to Country Camp

The BRIDGES to Country Camp was a huge success! The students engaged fully in the various activities throughout their time away. Rather than me recounting the experience from the camp, I asked for volunteers to write for the newsletter. Below are their stories of the BRIDGES to Country Camp.

Jane Cowan
Level Leader: Year 9

Student Reflections

From boomerang throwing to canoeing, nature walks to stories of country and culture, Camp Jungai was an experience of connection, acknowledgement and growth. Run by Auntie Aurore, the Year 9 students were welcomed to observe the land we walked on through the perspective of those who have been here for 100,000 years. We were able to eat plants and use plants for soap; enjoy bush dancing with friends and be intrigued by the concept of reincarnation. Camp Jungai will most definitely be a highlight of my year.

Rhiannan Marie-Jeanne
Year 9

The Year 9 BRIDGES to Country Camp was held at Camp Jungai and we learnt all about the First Nations people through many different activities. My top three activities included canoeing, the bush dance and nature art. I really enjoyed learning new dances; how to light a fire with flint and steel; trying all the different bush tuckers; learning about Auntie’s culture and laughing together with my friends. It was a hot couple of days, which made canoeing in the dam so much more enjoyable. We learnt a new game called ‘Piano’ where everyone joined canoes and we all had the opportunity to run on the tops of 12+ canoes from one end to the other and jump in, which cooled me right down!

Lily Mealor
Year 9

On 22 February we set off to Camp Jungai, an exciting and memorable experience. We were able to immerse ourselves into Indigenous Australians’ culture and learn so many new skills. Whether it was canoeing, hearing about all sorts of different bush tucker or trying our hand at nature art, it certainly proved to be a camp that I will never forget.

Sophie McKeown
Year 9

I found Year 9 Camp a great experience. I have learnt so much about nature and our surroundings. We were able to interact with an Indigenous woman, Auntie Aurore, and learn more about our past in Australia and the adversity she has faced.

Sia Seguel
Year 9

Duke of Edinburgh Award 

On Thursday 23 of February a group of Year 9 students embarked on their first practice hike down at Phillip Island as part of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award.   

Leading up to it was quite stressful as we also had year 9 BRIDGES Camp that same week. However, through careful preparation during our Duke of Edinburgh classes, we were able to prepare what we needed to bring, eat and wear for the hike. For many of us it was our first time hiking with big backpacks!

We started our hike from Anderson to Kilcunda and, gosh, those backpacks were heavy! Unfortunately, due to the weather being so hot we had to change the hike. We stopped for some lunch and walked some more to Wonthaggi along the Bass Coast Rail Trail. We then drove to Phillip Island, which is where we set up for the night. Setting up our tents and cooking on our trangia stoves was so much fun. As the sun set down we went for a beautiful walk to the beach and saw amazing lights in the town of Phillip Island.

Early in the morning we all got up, had some breakfast and packed up our tents before heading off for our final walk. We did a nice loop and saw some beautiful scenic views from Cape Woolamai. Overall I really enjoyed the experience and I want to say a massive thank you to Mrs Wood and to Mrs Clark. I am looking forward to the big hike at Wilsons Promontory at the end of the year!  

Lola Clancy
Year 9