SCHOOL LIFE

Pushing ourselves at Forest Edge

Year 6 Camp

We were all excited to finally be at camp and feverish with excitement to find out our dorm groups. Then the fun began. We rushed off to get ready for activities and played basketball against the teachers. We all had different activity groups, the activities for the rest of the day included Big Fox, Crate Climb, Billy Carts, and Island Bushwalk. The activities stretched us out of our comfort zone, but we pushed ourselves and had a lot of fun along the way. After delicious lasagna for dinner we had a quiz- run by the Quiz Master (or Mr. O). It left us laughing even though we were exhausted and practically falling asleep at our tables. We had a jam-packed, fun-filled day on Thursday. We had to work as a team in the Spider's Web, conquering our fears of heights during the Abseiling Nursery, and the Big Fox (which was over 200m long), and Crate Climb. We learned new skills as we made Billy Carts and tried not to get lost during Orienteering. After dinner we had a campfire. We sat shivering as we held up our hands to warm them on the fire. The chocolate coated biscuits and marshmallows were a bonus. On Friday morning, we woke up and were faced with the pandemonium of packing up in the dorms. It was time to say our final goodbyes to everyone at Forest Edge. The bus was eerily quiet on the way back, with only the odd vomit to break the silence. Everyone slept. When we got back to PC, we were dead people walking. But it was all so worth it.

Written Harriet F, Madeleine J and Isla M, Year 6

Year 8 Nanga Bush Camp

Our Year 8s headed out to Nanga Bush Camp for our first overnight camp experience of 2022! Each of our six groups had an opportunity to spend two nights sleeping in tents in the National Park and a night in the dormitory (The Woodshed) at Nanga Bush Camp. Our Year 8s learned how to waterproof a sleeping bag, pack for a bushwalk, set up and pack down tents, as well as working in teams to prepare meals, launch canoes and navigate bush trails. Some of the students’ reflections were: “I enjoyed making food for the group. It was good to spend time with people I don’t normally spend time with.” Noa, Year 8 “I loved the walks, because even though they were hard, they were fun and they were satisfying.” Abby, Year 8 “I liked cooking meals on the Trangia (stove). The canoeing was great, the rapids were really fun.” Grace, Year 8

Displays of courage and friendship distinguish Year 9 Camp

From Wednesday 27 April to Tuesday 3 May, students took part in a re-imagined Year 9 Camp at the Swan Valley Adventure Centre. This year the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to suspend overnight camps early in the year. Undeterred our dedicated staff found another way. Day trips! Our Year 9 “campers” were still able to take part in activities such as canoeing, abseiling, high ropes and InsideOut. Their whirlwind week finished with a day of service, Side by Side, removing weeds with the City of Kalamunda in the Perth Hills. There was a great deal of laughter, cementing of friendships and displays of courage. A great way to start the term!

Helen Avery,

HEAD OF YEAR 9

“I really enjoyed playing games after dinner. It brought us all together. I just enjoyed the overall vibe of spending time with people. I really liked the (bush)walks and we sang 99 bottles all the way to zero and that got us through the walk! Allegra, Year 8 “The best part of camp for me was getting to spend time with everyone.” Bronte, Year 8 “My favourite thing was being in the tent with my friends. I got to sleep pretty well. I found the canoeing challenging. We got stuck a couple of times and capsized but we got through it in the end. I found the hike hard because we had to walk up big rocky hills. I didn’t think I could do it in the beginning, but I got through it!" Millie, Year 8 "My favourite part of camp was the canoeing! It took a long time, but it was fun and exciting, and we got to try different things." Caitlin, Year 8 "My favourite part of camp was when we hiked to our second campground because the view was very pretty." Emily, Year 8 "My highlights were canoeing and the second night we camped out in the tent because there was a big storm. It was a bit scary because the lightning was really close, but it was fun after that." Mikaela, Year 8 A special mention and enormous congratulations to Cameron Thorn, Head of Year 8, who worked with a dedicated team of Perth College and Outdoor Education Group staff to deliver an amazing camp experience to our Year 8 students despite the very many unexpected logistical challenges posed by overnight camps during a pandemic.

Year 10 Ninghan Station 10-day expedition

Our Year 10 students and staff this year survived a 10-day expedition at Ninghan Station. Congratulations to everyone for their determination, stamina and positivity in completing a challenging but rewarding experience. The culmination of our Senior School camp program, Year 10 camp, is an immersion in the stunning Gascoyne landscape. Students learn important skills such as teamwork, ingenuity, meal planning and leadership. They work together and draw on their strengths.

Reflecting on Camp

From a teacher's perspective

After 10 days of sleeping in tents, wearing the same clothes, and eating only the food they carried, our Year 10s returned from camp! Once the joy of a hot shower and a home-cooked meal wore off, many reflected on the highlights: the morning sunrise views from the top of Warrdagga Rock, the nightly rituals of storytelling and singing, the cultural session with Ninghan Station owner Ash Bell and the unaccompanied solo section, where students proved they could navigate, cook and collaborate independently. Whatever the highlight, Ninghan Station has certainly left its mark.

Cassie O’Connell,

ENGLISH TEACHER AND YEAR 10 CAMPER

Tuesday. Day nine of 10. Year 10 students finished their unaccompanied, or solo time yesterday afternoon, with all groups successfully navigating their way back to Base Camp after staff left them on Sunday. Base Camp was full of joy and laughter. Students were proud of their achievement and happy to be reunited with group leaders. We had some rain overnight. Some students chose to sleep in but many are venturing out of their tents between showers to watch a river that has been dry for some time flow.

Cameron Thorn,

HEAD OF SERVICE LEARNING, CAMPS AND TOURS

From a student perspective

Students learn important skills such as teamwork, ingenuity, meal planning and leadership. They work together and draw on their strengths.

Arianna and Belle

How did the Year 10 camp change you? Belle – You know people better than you did before.

What did you expect? Arianna – I thought the hiking would be a lot worse than it was.

What happened? Arianna – We got to make Damper with Ash. We got to cook dinner for our group. The unaccompanied was the highlight, without the adults we did it all ourselves.

Belle – We woke up at 5.00 am to climb a big mountain so we could watch the sunrise.

What were the biggest challenges you faced? Arianna – Not showering was hard but it was ok, we couldn’t smell each other.

Belle – Getting through longer hikes when we were tired and some people wanted to walk fast and others slow, but we needed to stay together.

What gave you the greatest joy? Arianna – I enjoyed the time after we had eaten dinner and cleaned up. We all sat around the fire and talked and debriefed the funny things that happened in the day. What did you learn about yourself? Arianna – I know now I am stronger than I thought. What would you do differently next time?

Belle – It was really cold. I would take more thermals.

How do you think the experience affected your year group? Arianna – It made everyone realise how nice everyone was. I got to know people from my Kaya better. We are proud of our Year 10 students as they left their comfort zones and supported each other. So much work goes on behind the scenes to ensure a successful experience for students. A huge thank you to Dr Ellen Fortini, Mr Cameron Thorn and other staff, who supported and guided students through a life-changing fortnight.