On Sunday 2 May, 70 Year 8 students, six Senior School staff, the School Nurse and two Old Girls headed off on an adventure to Central Australia.

The group flew directly to Alice Springs and were met by the tour company ‘Hollands’, who swiftly organised the students onto two buses and headed off into the township of Alice Springs. The students were taken on an orientation tour of the city before arriving at their overnight destination. To the surprise of the students the tents had been erected and were ready for occupation. For the next two days the students participated in a range of site seeing and interactive activities. They visited the Royal Flying Doctor Museum, the School of Air, Alice Springs Reptile Centre, the dry Todd River, Anzac Hill, the Telegraph Station, and the Desert Park where they were able to observe desert plants and animals. They also viewed basket weaving as well as visiting a local Indigenous Art Centre.

After developing an awareness of the cultural and environmental significance of Alice Springs, the students packed up their camp site and the buses headed off on the next stage of the adventure, making their way to Watarrka National Park, which is a part of Kings Canyon. The students embarked on a three hour walk through the Canyon, observing the geology, rock formations, the canyon and escarpments as well as relaxing in The Garden of Eden before walking back to the bus. Many of the students reported that the walk and landscapes were breath taking and for many students this was certainly a highlight of the trip. There was more to come! A visit to a local indigenous community enabled the students to develop an understanding of the traditional landowner’s connection to their land. They learnt about bush medicine, the importance of a smoking ceremony, weapons and bush tucker. Many students were brave enough to sample a cooked Witchety Grub, and reported this as another highlight of the trip.

After a night at Kings Canyon the group moved to Yulara – Uluru. In classes the students had been preparing to visit this site. In Science the students learnt about the geology of the area and in Geography the students learnt about desert formations, landscapes and the connection between Indigenous culture and Dreamtime stories. At Uluru, the students visited the rock at sunset, and at sunrise and were captivated by the changing colours of the rock. The finale of the trip was the bike ride around the base of the rock, stopping along the way to view Indigenous sites, water holes, rock art, and the cultural centre, where they learnt more about the Dreamtime Stories of the ‘Anangu’ traditional landowners and the Creation Story of Uluru.

On the final day the students packed up their tents and said a final farewell to their bus drivers and cooks and headed off to Yulara airport for the flight back to Melbourne.

On behalf of the Year 8 students I would like to thank the teaching staff: Miss Carlile, Mr Hicks, Mr Marshall, Ms Neale, Mr Roberts and Ms Vu and our School Nurse Ms Jack, for caring so diligently for our students. The level of care and support offered to the students whilst away from their own homes and family was second to none. Their experience and their sense of fun was greatly appreciated by all. I would also like to thank Harriette Dryden and Tilly Wolton, for fulfilling the role of ‘A Big Sister’. Camps such as these, foster and develop new relationships between the students and staff. They enable students to experience new sites and environments, develop new skills, and self-confidence, organisation and responsibility and along the way face personal challenges, which all builds resilience.

Some Year 8 Student highlights:

Overwhelming comments: the bike ride around Uluru, the size of the rock and seeing the features along the ride.

“The Camp fire at night at Kings Canyon.”

“The bus rides and sunrises early in the morning.”

“The night sky.”

“Camping, pitching the tent, the camp was great.”

“Walking around Kings Canyon.”

“Watching the reptile show, holding the lizards.”

“Making new friends amongst the year level.”

“I liked the bus rides and Jill and John the driver and camp cook.”