18-22 AUGUST 2025
ARTS: CERAMICS
July 2025
Dear Student and Parents/Guardians,
The Ceramics Camp takes place at Woodleigh Senior Campus from Monday 18 August to Friday 22 August 2025. Students will immerse themselves in a dynamic week of art making and workshops with five days of back-to-back experiential art and design focussed learning. Students will have the opportunity to work like a practising artist.
Throughout the week, students will make their own functional art object; a lamp, hand-built sculpture, thrown pottery using the wheel and decorative tableware. The camp is the right mix of hands-on workshops and inspiration - the ultimate opportunity to discover the mechanics of the art and design industry.
Parents/Guardians, please respond to the Operoo eForm and ensure that your child’s medical information is up to date.
In this booklet you will find further information regarding the camp so please read through this carefully.
If there are any further queries you may have, please do not hesitate to contact me. We look forward to a fun and rewarding week!
Yours sincerely,
Ms Emma Cleine Ceramics Camp Coordinator
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Our camp is being held on the lands of the Bunurong and Boonwurrung people and we wish to acknowledge them as Traditional Owners. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We are grateful to be visiting their land and we recognise their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this land.
POLICY RELATING TO STUDENTS WITHDRAWING FROM ACTIVITIES WEEK CAMP/ABSENTEE CHARGEBACK POST CAMP
Activities Week Camp is a compulsory part of the school curriculum and all students are expected to participate. Bookings and arrangements are made on this expectation.
In the event that a student withdraws from the camp due to medical reasons, the school requires prior written notice accompanied by a valid medical certificate. In such cases, families will be responsible for all non-refundable costs incurred, including but not limited to flights, accommodation, and other pre-paid expenses.
For cancellations due to a change of mind or any non-medical reasons, families will be charged the full camp fee.
SUNSMART POLICY
In keeping with the school’s “SunSmart” approach to outdoor activities, students are required to bring sunscreen, a protective hat (with a wide brim) and to wear tops which adequately cover the skin of the shoulders and back. In the event of swimming activities, students will need “rashies” or t-shirts. Sunscreen is an additional protection - it does not take the place of clothing or shade.
NUT POLICY
On Camp, we request that parents/students avoid bringing food products that contain nuts of any kind. In order to minimise the risk to students with severe allergies.
The school cannot guarantee that the camp environment will be 100% allergen free, hence students with allergies need to remain vigilant in their decisions around any food that they ingest.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CONTACT
In the event of an emergency, or if you need to urgently contact your child, please do not ring the camp (or your child) directly but rather contact the school during office hours on (03) 5971 6100 or contact after hours on mobile 0482 888 022
RESPOND TO OPEROO EFORM
To enable staff to fulfil their duty of care to students, we need accurate and up-to-date information about medical and personal issues for all students. Please respond to the Operoo eForm and ensure that your child’s medical information is up to date. Any last-minute changes should be communicated directly to the leader of the camp as well as updated on Operoo. We do rely on this information, and parents do have a duty of disclosure, to ensure all relevant information is known.
INFORMATION COLLECTION POLICY
Confidential medical and other sensitive information collected and used for the running of these camps will be handled in line with the School’s Privacy Policy.
POLICY RELATING TO STUDENTS SENT HOME FROM CAMP
Where a student does need to be sent home, for medical, personal, or discipline reasons, they will need to be collected from the camp by their parent/guardian (at their own expense) - they cannot travel unaccompanied. In all cases, arrangements must be made with school and special arrangements may need to be in place for remote camps, i.e. 3 or more hours from school.
EXTREME WEATHER POLICY
We will modify our program based on weather forecasts - we will be in contact with Woodleigh School to review the week’s weather as it unfolds. In the event of a day being forecast to be Extreme (under the CFA Fire Danger Rating system) the program will be modified at the least, to ensure safety in the heat, and evacuation plans in readiness. In the event of a day being forecast to be Code Red (Catastrophic), the program will be cancelled in advance and students evacuated the day before. The School will use SMS and email to communicate with parents in such cases.
ARTS: CERAMICS CAMP INFORMATION
CAMP DATES
Monday 18 - Friday 22 August 2025.
MEDICATION ON CAMP
If you believe your child needs to take medication during the school day on camp, please contact the School Nurse before Monday 11 August.
COST
The cost of this Activities Week Camp is approximately $300, which will be charged to student accounts.
LOCATION
The camp is located at Woodleigh Senior Campus and will run during normal school hours.
MEALS
Students should bring snacks, lunch and a water bottle. Hot potatoes with seasonal toppings will be served, weather permitting, next to our Courtyard Firepit.
The school canteen will be open in a limited capacity during the week.
EXHIBITION
On the final day, an exhibition of work from all Visual Arts activities will be held in the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Gallery and pottery courtyard. Parents are welcome to view the works in the afternoon (from 3:30pm onwards).
CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT
All materials for ceramics are supplied. However, students are encouraged to bring drawings or images of inspiration that will inspire their work and designs.
Students should wear clothing that is suitable for working outdoors all day with clay. Smocks will be worn but, inevitably in a workshop environment, water is often transferred to clothing, so students are encouraged to wear older clothes that can be dirtied. Dress for warmth and comfort. For safety reasons, it is imperative that students wear sturdy, close-toed shoes. Runners/skate shoes are appropriate.
DO NOT BRING
Valuables, cameras or any articles that you wouldn't want to lose or break, an excessive amount of money, or any electronic/digital devices.
MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones should be left at home and not brought on camp. They will not be required.
BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS
• As a participant in the Activities Week Camps program, there is a high level of responsibility and expectation with respect to behaviour. All normal school policies apply, in particular:
• Involvement with sex, drugs, smoking, vaping or alcohol is prohibited.
• A preparedness to participate wherever appropriate.
• Safety of all participants is paramount.
Infringement of these policies may result in the student being sent home, at your own expense.
• It is a courtesy to be respectful and positive at all events, even those you personally find less interesting. A good night’s sleep will be essential - being tired will not only affect you but also others on camp.
• Never leave the campsite without the permission of a staff member.
• Each student is responsible for the immediate environment and must keep it tidy and not damage any of the surroundings.
CERAMICS PROGRAM
DAY PROGRAM
Monday
Tuesday
Meet at Woodleigh, working in the ceramics area.
WORKSHOP DAY
AM: Work with artist, Andrew Gibson, to establish your wheel throwing skills.
PM: Work with raku, to establish your hand building skills.
Wednesday
Meet at Woodleigh, working in the ceramics area.
WORKSHOP DAY
AM: Andrew Gibson, wheel throwing skills and refining yesterday’s wares
PM: Work with slip casting, mix slip glazes and make raku sculptures.
Thursday
Meet at Woodleigh, working in the ceramics area.
WORKSHOP DAY
AM: Andrew Gibson, wheel throwing skills and refining yesterday’s wares
PM: Glaze greenware and make raku sculptures.
Friday
Meet at Woodleigh, working in the ceramics area.
WORKSHOP DAY
AM: Andrew Gibson, wheel throwing skills and refining yesterday’s wares
PM: Glaze greenware, refine greenware for bisque firing and make raku sculptures
Meet at Woodleigh, excursion and working in the ceramics area.
EXCURSION DAY
AM: Leave for Robert Gordon Pottery, 114 Mulcahy Rd, Pakenham for Glazing Workshop. Glazing bisqueware 10.00 – 11.00am. Shop, snack and wander.
PM: Return to Woodleigh for lunch. Glaze greenware.
Please note: These times and/or activities could be subject to change.
BUS LOCATION - DEPART/RETURN
2025 ACTIVITIES WEEK CAMP BUS LOCATIONS
WOODLEIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR CAMPUS
Please make sure you refer to your camp booklet for departure and return dates and times.
Parents, please park in designated parking areas when dropping off/collecting your child to avoid congestion around the buses on Monday departures and Friday returns.
MY CAMP CHECKLIST
Things to purchase / Things to take
