On Wednesday 17 March, the Year 7 students travelled to Flinders for their Orientation Camp. They were extremely fortunate to have three beautiful days of clear, blue skies and sunshine.

The main objective of the Year 7 ‘We Belong’ Camp is to provide a fun and relaxed environment for the students to develop and consolidate their relationships within the cohort. It is a time where they are able to develop a greater sense of belonging within their year level and broaden their friendship groups, by participating in a range of teambuilding activities, with a diverse number of students. A highlight for many students was the surfing at Point Leo beach on the Thursday, where many were able to stand up and ride the waves in to shore. Students were also stretched out of their comfort zone through activities such as crate stacking and the giant swing.

The Giant Swing, Anoushka Graham

“Year 7 Camp was one of the best experiences I have ever had and it was an amazing way to start the year. It was full of exciting activities and fun with your friends and teachers. One of, I think, the best activities was the giant swing. Every time I think about it, I just want to go on it again and again and again!

The camp was the first time I was on a giant swing and everyone thought I was crazy for never having been on it before as they had. The giant swing is exactly what it sounds like – you get harnessed up onto some ropes, and you get pulled to the top and then, all of a sudden you let go of a rope and drop!

The first swing is the scariest. Once you let go of rope if feels as though a weight just drops down in your stomach but after that it is one of the best things ever! You just keep swinging and you can look out and see all the wonderful trees and nature around you. Then once you get off it you just want another go.

This was one of my best experiences and I would definitely do it again.”

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My Camp Experience, Ruby Jesudason

“Camp started off with an Aboriginal Culture Program in Flinders, where we were informed on a variety of Aboriginal rituals, games, meals, and much more. My favourite part in particular included the bush walk, where we went around looking and were shown a variation of plants.

After the Cultural Program we arrived at Golden Valley Lodge. We were shown to our cabins and started off with a team activity, “The Amazing Race”. There were multiple pits stops to achieve different activities and solve clues to your next destination. My team placed third and was the epitome of exhausted! The day was ended with a lasagne for dinner and the 80’s disco.

Our second day was filled to the brim of activities surfing, archery, crate staking, giant swing, and that’s just naming a few. Surfing was an introductory lesson on the basics of surfing and helpful tips. Archery taught us things like techniques of holding bows, aiming your arrow into the targets, as well as safety while handling a bow and arrow. The crate staking had two teams on an adventure to have one member of the team harnessed in the air, while trying to achieve a higher number of crates stacked underneath you before they fall over. And finally, one more favoured activity was of course the giant swing. Starting from 18m high to 30m high on a harness with your activity group pulling you from the land, you picked the height you were comfortable with and plunged off the harness into a giant swinging motion so high back and forth, kangaroos were even spotted! A roast for all, and a trivia night ended the day.

The next morning, we were all up early ready for breakfast, and set to start even more team activities! “Minute to Win It”, we called it. About eight stations set up with a clock clicking and clacking, ready to warn you to swap to the next station. With all the activities and bonding, we ate lunch and ventured back to school.

Overall, I’d say many newfound friendships were discovered. As well as learning many different skills and things that fascinated us.”

Reflections from Year 7 Students

“I feel like the program has helped me to get to know others in Year 7 better because we worked in several different groups. Each group included members who didn’t really know each other that well so that allowed me to get to know other girls in Year 7 much better.”

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“I found it amazing because I bonded with so many girls that I wouldn’t have if I was at School and I think I have made some lifelong friends.”

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“Thank you to all of the staff and teachers for taking all of Year 7 on camp. It is definitely going to be one of my highlights for Year 7.”

Year 7 & 8 Music Soiree

During extended level time on Monday 28 March, the Year 7 and 8 students combined in the Selina Yao Auditorium to witness an array of musical and artistic performances.

The Year 7 and 8 Soiree was a huge hit with a range of performances by our Year 7 and 8 students. A special mention to Opal Scheele who performed via MS Teams from Singapore.

Congratulations to the following students and groups on their wonderful performances on the day:

Year 7 & 8 Flute Ensemble

Sherren Singers

Year 7 & 8 Band

Kaixuan (Isabelle) Cao

Eve Plummer

Scarlett Evans

Isabelle Peter

May Sutton

Yutong (Irina) Pan

Qiyao (Grace) Shen

Janine Jing (Janine) Hu

Opal Scheele

Year 8

Jiaqi (Amy) Liu

Sixian (Cindy) Xu

Jiayi (Lucia) Tian

Jiaxin (Linda) Wan

Xi (Selina) Yao

Xinyi (Elaine) Wang

Mietta Jenkins

Alison Prendergast

Lauren Lam

Year 8 Taiko Drumming