CAMPS HAPPEN
HERE
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PREP TO VCE Preparatory Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Years 10 & 11 Year 12
Extended Stay Overnight Stay: Bendigo Science & Discovery Centre Camp Curumbene: Corop - Goulburn Valley Sunnystones, Bacchus Marsh Halls Gap, Grampians Narmbool, Ballarat Canberra Howqua High Country Bushwalking Urban Camp, Melbourne Leadership and Learning, Outdoor Education/Sport and Recreation VCE Conference, Melbourne
ELECTIVE CAMPS France, Japan, Thailand, USA, New Zealand, World Challenge Expeditions, Lord/Lady Somers Camp
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IMAGES Above: Year 10 Outdoor Education - Wilson's Promontory Front cover: STEM camp, USA Back cover: Harry Potter World, STEM camp, USA
Learning outside the classroom, and putting classroom knowledge into action, is an integral part of the Girton Grammar curriculum. It also forms the basis of a broad and exciting programme of elective Camps and Outdoor Education. Camps, Outdoor Education and Urban Experiences provide students with a chance to make new friends, challenge themselves, connect with teachers, develop new skills and have fun. Girton Grammar School has a compulsory Camps programme from Prep until Year 9, plus a range of elective camps and outdoor experiences for students from Year 7 to Year 12. The VCE Conference for Year 12 students takes place in Melbourne prior to the commencement of the school year. Senior School camps are typically conducted throughout camps week; the last week of Term 1, whilst Junior School camps occur mostly in the second half of the school year. The Camps programme at Girton Grammar School is carefully designed to provide age-appropriate challenges and social opportunities for students as they grow and learn about themselves and about the world around them. Some experiences are nature-based and physically challenging whilst others are urban based and designed to reflect important elements of the academic curriculum. Whatever the nature of the experience, the Camps programme at Girton Grammar School supports personal growth in young people and creates lifelong memories. The following is a summary of the Camps and Outdoor Education opportunities at Girton Grammar School, from Prep to Year 12. All experiences run on a cost recovery basis, but are not included in the School tuition fee.
“Whatever the nature of the experience, the Camps programme at Girton Grammar School supports personal growth in young people and creates lifelong memories,�
MR GRAHAM CRICKMORE HEAD OF CAMPS 3
EXTENDED STAY Duration: One full day Aim:
The extended stay is a great opportunity for Preparatory students to experience some independence.
In Term 4, Preparatory students will participate in an extended stay at school (8.45am until 7.00pm) as an introduction to the School’s Camps Program. As an out of classroom day, students visit various local attractions around Bendigo, which generally includes an artistic experience, for example a visit to the Bendigo Art Gallery, and a physical activity such as a trip to the Fun Factory. The day culminates with dinner back at school followed by a movie or a disco.
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OVERNIGHT STAY Duration: One night, two days Aim:
The overnight stay helps children to build on their growing independence and provides an opportunity for supported interaction with other adults.
The Year One Camp is an optional overnight stay at the Science and Discovery Centre in Bendigo. The theme for Term 1 is “Space” and the Planetarium at the Discovery Centre provides a ‘hands on’ experience for the children in their quest for knowledge about our Solar system. They identify the various planets as they travel through the night sky. In preparation for camp the Mathematics focus is “Money”. The children learn to recognise notes and coins and use their knowledge to purchase their own afternoon tea at the Beechworth Bakery. The children are encouraged to speak clearly to the shop assistant and use their best manners whilst enjoying their afternoon tea.
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CAMP CURUMBENE Duration: One night, two days Aim:
To prepare students for camping experiences offered in later years and to experience living away from home for one night.
This is the students’ first taste of camping in the great outdoors The camp takes place near the small town of Corop in the Goulburn Valley region. Students participate in bush activities, bush walking, campfire, indoor and outside games and a torch light walk to spot possums and owls.
SUNNYSTONES,
BACCHUS MARSH Duration: Two nights, three days Aim:
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At this age, students are beginning to truly understand what it means to be a friend. This camp gives them an opportunity to broaden friendship groups and build team skills. Sunnystones is a fifty-acre property that backs onto the state forest and is situated 5km from Baccus Marsh. Sunnystones Camp is accredited and registered with the Camping Association of Victoria. Accommodation consists of bedrooms of four, six or eight with each room having an ensuite. Activities include a ropes course, initiative course, archery, team building and bush art, orienteering, night time possum spotting and bushwalking.
THE GRAMPIANS Duration: Two nights, three days Aim:
At this age, students relish the chance to increase their understanding about the natural environment and the importance of collective effort.
Norval Conference Centre is a Uniting Church Camp in the centre of Halls Gap. Students stay in fully catered lodge style accommodation. Activities include: bush walking along Parks Victoria’s walking tracks; visiting the National Park Centre Nature walk; games; visiting Brambruck for an Indigenous Class session and visiting the Wild Life Park.
“I loved this camp. I made new friends and the food was really good. I especially liked looking for animals with my torch at night time” William Slow, 4D
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NARMBOOL LODGE SOVEREIGN HILL Duration: Three nights, four days Aim:
To continue to build an appreciation of agricultural and environmental sustainability, balanced with an understanding of local history.
Students attend a full day at Sovereign Hill before attending the camp at Narmbool. Narmbool is a benchmark of sustainable land management in a farm environment. Discovery trails across the property have been developed so that students can explore its rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Narmbool activities include bush walking, photography, navigation, scientific investigation, art, Indigenous culture and team work.
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CANBERRA Duration: Four nights, five days Aim:
To link classroom knowledge to the real world and spend time within friendship groups in this important year of the schooling journey.
Year 6 Camp is held in Canberra. Traditionally, this takes place in the last week of Term 1. This camp links with the Year 6 curriculum theme of Australian Government. Students have the opportunity to visit Parliament House, Old Parliament House, the Australian Institute of Sport, the Australian War Memorial, the National Museum of Australia and Questacon.
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7 Year
Ropes course, Camp Howqua
CAMP HOWQUA Duration: Four nights, five days Aim:
At this transitional point in a child’s education, new friendships are forming and students benefit from being actively engaged in group activities.
Camp Howqua is set in a beautiful tree-lined valley with students staying in cabin style accommodation. The area is also rich in educational resources, so that students are learning whilst they are participating in group activities. The students are fully occupied during the five days with activities such as bushwalking, cycling, orienteering, horse riding and much more.
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“Year 7 camp was a blast! The activities kept you wondering what was next and it was a wonderous way to meet people in your grade. The meals melted in my mouth.” CONNOR DOLAN YEAR 7, 2017
Dinner Plain, Falls Creek
HIGH COUNTRY BUSHWALKING Duration: Four nights, five days Aim:
The Year Eight program is about “Stepping outside the comfort zone�. It aims, via a hike in the Victorian alps, encouraging students to enhance, personal development, group skills and leadership, whilst exploring the natural environment.
Students participate in an expedition into the Falls Creek/Mt Hotham area and along the top of the Great Dividing Range. Students camp in tents and do return day hikes each day to different locations. Students build on their appreciation of the natural environment and develop leadership and teamwork skills.
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URBAN CAMP Duration: Three nights, four days Aim:
Year
12
To allow students to test their understanding of their place in the world by embracing new and real life experiences.
The City of Melbourne becomes the classroom for the Year 9 Urban Camp. Students stay at the Melbourne Metro YHA and select a number of activities to suit their interests, including; •
City Challenge; learning to navigate around the Melbourne CBD using the “Amazing Race” format
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Interfaith Day; exploring different faiths by visiting places of worship
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Arts experience; via the ArtsConnect 9 programme involving performances, exhibitions, workshops and tours
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A visit to the Western Treatment Plant to apply and build Science knowledge
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Year 10 Digital Photography camp Samuel Lindrea
LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING
“Camps Week” is held in the last week of Term 1. it allows all Year 10 and Year 11 students to select from a wide range of age relevant activities and opportunities. Students are encouraged to undertake experiences that test their leadership skills and develop a sense of community spirit. Students may put themselves forward to act as Student Camp Leaders for the Year 7 to Year 9 Camps. Other options available throughout Camps Week include: •
Work Experience
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Community Service
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School based activities such as Digital Photography and activities within the Performing and Visual Arts areas or;
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The VET based certificate courses, comprising of: Food Handling; First Aid; RSA & Hospitality; Food Handling/Barista and Drivers’ Education.
Students enrolled in Outdoor and Environmental Studies are required to attend their respective programs during the School’s Camp Week. These week-long activities are an integral part of this subject’s curriculum, and are therefore compulsory for relevant students.
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“The VCE Conference is a fantastic way for the Year 12 cohort to come together before the commencement of the School year and to form bonds that help the group support one another through the final year of School� MICHAELA HULME, YEAR 12, 2018.
VCE CONFERENCE Duration: One night, two days Aim:
To set the scene for a productive final year of study at school and introduce students to university life.
Before commencing the academic year, all Year 12 students spend a night at a residential college at Melbourne University and during the two days visit other universities such as Monash, RMIT and Deakin. The Conference includes campus tours, lectures from various university faculties and a formal dinner.
Class of 2018 at the VCE Conference, Melbourne University
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VCE UNIT 1 / 2 OUTDOOR & ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES Duration: 4-5 days during Girton Camps Week and Term 3 Aim:
To meet the Unit 1 /2 practical requirements of this VCE subject. The first camp for VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies takes place at Wilsons Promontory National Park. The week consists of beach hiking and journey camping through coastal rain forest. Students also take part in surfing lessons, environment exploration, plant and animal discovery and investigation. A second camp takes place in early Term 4 in the Bellarine coastal area. This camp is based on water activity and conservation and is of three days duration. Students choose activities based on class content, human impacts and interactions with the environment.
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VCE UNIT 3 / 4 SPORT & RECREATION (OUTDOOR RECREATION) Duration: 4 nights, 5 days during Girton Camps Week and Term 3 Aim:
To help prepare students for class content, tests and examinations related to this VCE subject. There are two camps which support VCE Sport and Recreation. The first camp is held at Torquay and involves surfing, paddle boarding, swimming with dolphins and seals, a natural museum visit and aboriginal history sessions. The activities support classroom studies related to the environment and human relationships with the environment through time. The second camp involves 2 days in the snow - one day downhill and one day cross-country skiing. The focus of this camp is on maintaining healthy environments, as well as studying conflicts of interest over uses of environments.
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STEM camp USA
Girton students have the opportunity to take part in several elective camps over the course of their secondary schooling.
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NEW ZEALAND EXPERIENCE
Students in Years 8 to 12 have the opportunity to spend a week in New Zealand at the conclusion of the Girton academic year, exploring the incredible natural beauty of this island nation. The trip is designed to spark an appreciation of ancient cultures, to protect the natural wonders of their world, and fuel a passion for learning. Students will explore the diverse environments only available in New Zealand’s thermal, glacial and temperate rainforest regions as well as gain an appreciation for the historical significance of Cook’s exploration in the region, and the impact of colonial settlement on Maori culture. The trip takes place prior to the announcement of VCE results.
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This Camp is offered to Year 9 students who are passionate about the outdoors. For four nights and three days, students will hike, carrying their own tents, clothing and food. The location of the hike will vary and could be coastal or inland, but will contain a strong Aboriginal cultural influence. The Camp is held partially within the September school holidays.
CULTURAL AWARENESS EXPERIENCE
MITTAGUNDI – OUTDOOR EDUCATION EXPERIENCE
During the Term 2 holidays students can opt to participate in the Mittagundi Cross Country Skiing experience. Situated on a 400 acre property near the old gold mining town of Glen Valley, on the Upper Mitta Mitta River, north of Omeo, Victoria, Mittagundi is an Outdoor Education Centre established with the belief that young people, mountains, purposeful work and challenges are natural partners.
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The main purpose of Mittagundi is to provide programmes for young people (14 to 18) to explore Victoria’s high country and themselves. They spend time bush walking, camping, crosscountry skiing and helping to run a pioneer style farm within small work parties. At camp students will ski into the Bogong National Park and spend several days in this superb area. A highlight of the experience will be sleeping in a remote mountain hut. Mittagundi is an exciting and rewarding experience.
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Years
“World Challenge is a bit of a tradition at Girton and everyone works really hard to get there. We hear about the trips that those before us have done and many students say that it is a life changing experience, especially because of the charity work; helping people in remote communities� ALEXI GINIS YEAR 9 2016
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WORLD CHALLENGE EXPEDITIONS This is a chance for students to embark on a challenging 28 day expedition to one of 40 destinations around the world. Students achieve personal and team goals to develop valuable skills for later life such as teamwork, leadership, problem solving and communications. For many students, this trip is truly is a lifechanging experience. World Challenge occurs in the June/July school holidays, every two years.
Cambodia
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USA STEM TOUR The USA STEM Tour is an exploration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The trip involves touring and working in NASA Space Facilities in both Alabama and Florida, visiting the everglades in Florida, studying the marine environment in San Diego whilst at Sea Camp, visiting the world famous San Diego Zoo with a behind-the-scenes tour, and a visit to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the home of space exploration. The trip finishes in Los Angeles with tours of movie making studios, indoor skydiving, the Petersen Car Museum and a visit to La Brea Tar Pits. This is a great opportunity for students who may wish to pursue a career in Science, Engineering and Technology. The USA STEM Tour takes place in the last week of Term 3 and during the school holidays. Students need to be 14 year and 9 months at the start of Septemberin order to take part in this experience. The next trip will be in 2019.
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FRENCH EXCHANGE Every year a group of our Year 10 students go to Lucon in Western France to spend the whole of Term 4 at our sister School, Ste Ursule. Lucon is a mid-sized town in rural Vendee, close to the Atlantic shores and an hour from Nantes. Girton Grammar and Ste Ursule have a long relationship and both schools have reciprocally hosted many students over the last twenty years. Students relish the opportunity to spend several weeks with the Ste Ursule families and have benefited from their time in class, especially through discovering the local French culture and gastronomy.
The exchange programme supports students with their French studies in VCE years and many students develop enduring relationships with their French hosts. Many families host Ste Ursule students when they visit us in Bendigo.
Students have the opportunity to
Gojo High School visit Japan every second year (every Girton Grammar Schoolyear if there is a demand) for two weeks during the SeptemberExchange 2010 October Holidays. The first week is spent sightseeing around Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima.
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The second week is spent at Girton’s sister school, Gojo Senior High School. The students are able to experience Japanese culture and
language first hand and experience the Japanese way of life through spending a week living with a Japanese family. An opportunity also exists for Year 11 students to spend two weeks at Gojo Senior High School during the January holidays. This is a great short exchange programme for the students prior to commencing Unit 3 and 4 Japanese.
SEMA - SHELL ECO MARATHON For the past few years, a dedicated group of students within the Girton Racing Team have been through a rigorous application process to compete in the prestigious Shell Eco Marathon for Energy Efficient Vehicles, mostly recently held in Manilla and Singapore. This event provides a wonderful opportunity for students to compete amongst an international field of Universities and a chance to explore the city within which the event is being staged.
Students stay in a hotel close to the event venue and compete over an intense 5-day period. Two days of the trip are set aside for tourist activities, making this a one-week camp that is both recreational and directly related to the school co-curriculum. Students on this trip are selected from within the larger Girton Racing Team. Around ten students attend this trip each year.
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LADY SOMERS AND LORD SOMERS CAMP Big Camp is a unique program where selected participants tackle games and activities, hear from inspirational speakers, test their limits, question and challenge their perspectives, meet people from diverse backgrounds, become an essential part of a team, and have great fun in the process! The goal of "Big Camp" is to bring together people from a wide variety of backgrounds, locations, schools and industries. Lord Somers Camp and Power House is a diverse volunteer led organisation with a focus on young people, leadership and active participation. Students in Year 11 may wish to apply to attend the Lady Somers or Lord Somers Camps, which are held during the Christmas holiday break. Applications can be made through the relevant Head of House. Lord Somers Camp and Power House is a not for profit organisation that runs personal and community development programs for people of all ages. All programs and activities are planned and executed by our members in a volunteer capacity. The programs we run have a significant benefit to many different communites and people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ages and locations. Lord Somers Camp and Power House strives to create a stronger, more inclusive society through service to others. For more information go to www.lscph.org.au
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THAILAND/CAMBODIA TRIP This experience designed specifically for graduating Year 12 students, takes place in late November/early December and it affectionately known as ‘alternative schoolies’. It forms part of Girton Grammar School’s Community Service programme and involves travelling to Cambodia to explore Phnom Penh, followed by Pattaya in Thailand, to work with the Father Ray Foundation. Girton Grammar School has established a strong relationship with the Father Ray Foundation, which provides essential services, care and hope for over 850 underprivileged and disadvantaged children. Students will spend the majority of their time with the Father Ray Foundation, assisting and visiting schools and farms run by the organisation.
“This trip offers students the chance to be with one another in a meaningful way, which the students find immensely satisfying. It’s a really positive and safe way to round out thirteen years of school life” MRS RACHELE FISHER
HEAD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
22 Vine Street Bendigo Victoria 3550 (03) 5441 3114 reception@girton.vic.edu.au www.girton.vic.edu.au