YEAR 11 RETREAT

Our Year 11 students attended their Senior Retreat in Week 3 this term. A retreat is designed to help with team building, recognition of differences, enable students to discover and unpack who they are and develop a relationship with God. 

This year students got to experience mask making, small group chats, a Halloween themed trivia night, a group liturgy and multiple activities where students engaged in what it means to become an adult and discover who they are in connection to others and the various communities they belong to.

Our theme this year was:  “Light of the World” - Matthew 5:14-16:

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

During retreat students were asked to recognize that it is a gift to shine brightly for the world and they are encouraged to do so throughout their life but especially during their HSC year. 

Congratulations to the Year 11 (Year 12 - 2020) cohort for being amazing at retreat! The level of engagement, kindness, care and compassion that was shown throughout the retreat was truly amazing.  Also a big thank you to staff and students who attended the Mulgoa retreat in their support of students who were unwell. 

Thank you to parents who supported Retreat. It was a very meaningful three day event and meant a lot to students.

Eliza Biddle (REC)

YEAR 9 AND 10 PASS CAMP

Year 9 and 10 PASS Students went on a three day expedition through Morton National Park last week. In the lead up and preparation for this camp, there was fear from many of the students about the mountain biking, sleeping on a thin mat, toileting in the ‘bush’ and our Australian wildlife. But once we got there, there was not much time for fear. They had to get their bike brief, and off they went. 

This was my first PASS camp and I was amazed at what the students achieved over the three days. Not just physically, but mentally too. The way the students encouraged and supported each other and pushed themselves to their limits was commendable. This camp immersed the students in experiences that encourage them to participate and derive their own meaning. It encouraged them to think critically, make decisions, demonstrate responsibility and engage meaningfully with people around them.

The students participated in mountain biking, abseiling and canoeing. The mountain biking was a challenge for many of the campers. Some had not ridden a bike much, some were afraid of the steepness and terrain of the tracks and some were not quite fit enough. But in the end every student, and teacher, pushed themselves to make it all the way. The abseiling was also a challenge for many of the campers who were afraid of heights. Joel, the instructor had a magical way of talking to the students and encouraging them to ‘take the plunge’. Almost all students abseiled and were so proud and happy that they did it, with some even wanting to do it again. 

The Year 9 students were fortunate on the second day to set up camp at Beehive Point and enjoy a refreshing swim in the river. They pitched their own tents and cooked delicious meals on the Trangia camp stoves. Mrs Garbutt said that it was great to see so many ‘Masterchefs’ in action cooking healthy and sustaining meals for their group. They were also treated to a comedy show by their instructor, Jake, which was hilarious.  

We were very lucky to have a tail wind for the duration of the canoeing. Permitting the instructors to set up a raft and a sail with all of the canoes, arriving at our destination hours earlier. This allowed for one of our instructors, Will, to give the Year 10’s a Bushtucker lesson.

Outdoor education is not about teaching for content, but teaching for students’ personal development. It is about learning how to work together, how to bounce back, and what to do when things are difficult. These skills are applicable no matter where you go—they are essential to almost every aspect of living and working with others. This camp has allowed our PASS students to develop these skills. 

CONGRATULATIONS