Middle Moments

Excitement of camps

By Ben Dray Email this article

Our Year 8 and Year 9 cohorts reflect on their experiences.

Year 8 Camp
In Week 8, our Year 8 cohort attended Aquatics Camp on the Murray River. Students had the opportunity to develop a greater sense of self, and explore opportunities and activities in the great outdoors. Below is a reflection from one of our students.

"Year 8 camp was an exciting experience that I would repeat any chance I get. We learned about water safety and participated in many activities that helped us to grow our skill set. We went all the way to Murray Bridge and stayed in tents at the Murraylands Aquatic Centre. Some activities such as sailing taught us about teamwork and how we needed to work together to successfully pilot the sailing boats. Kayaking and canoeing also taught us about teamwork because the better we worked together, the faster we went and the better the experience was.

We were also pushed to get out of our comfort zone and try something new. I tried knee-boarding and it was brilliant, and the same thing happened with water-skiing. I tried it so that I could at the very least say I made an attempt and I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. At the end of the day there were lots of fun activities that you could do before bed, or you could go straight to bed for rest. The activities helped us to relax before bed and connect with our peers."
Grace Brereton, 8TN

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Year 9 Break Free and Being Boys Programmes
Our Break Free and Being Boys Programmes are opportunities for students to bond and learn in a safe environment alongside same-gendered peers. This Term both groups went on camps and below are some reflections from students.

"The Being Boys camp held at Douglas Scrub was an amazing experience for all the boys in Year 9. We enjoyed getting out with nature and away from technology, setting up camp in tents, a three-hour solitude, team building exercises, bouldering, cooking our own dinner and breakfast, campfires, paintball and much more. I felt I learnt a lot during the three-day camp, about myself and the people around me."
Lakai Randall, 9AH

"Being Boys is a great programme because it makes you feel like you to get to know the other boys and you feel like they’re in the same situation as you in many ways. The camp happened at the end of the course and was a chance to get around the fire and talk with each other, show a different side and to listen. I really enjoyed spending time with friends, learning about what they are going through and what they hope to do in the future. I learnt that to get of your comfort space is healthy, to express your feelings and not worry about others judging you." 
Zedekiah Fielding, 9LJ

"I enjoyed setting up my cabin with my group as it made me feel closer to them, and over the camp I got along with them. I learnt new things about my group members and they learnt new things about me. Socialising with the other groups was also fun, especially when we did the paintball." 
Yoli Ruciak, 9LJ

"In the sessions, I enjoyed getting to know my group as well as spend time with them while we got prepared for camp in Week 9. Every week one pair from each group had to bring food for their individual groups. I enjoyed getting to know Ms. Hartley (our group leader) as we got to see a different side of her, which was fun because we don’t see that side of her in class."
Emma Newton-Webb, 9LJ

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Term 4
I wish all students and families a safe and relaxing term break and look forward to seeing everyone in Week 1 of Term 4 ready to go for an exciting finish to our academic year.

Ben Dray
Head of Middle School