email: coffsharb-h.school@det.nsw.edu website: www.coffsharb-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Cnr Edinburgh & Nile Streets, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450

Telephone: 02 6652 3466 Fax: 02 6651 4004

“Light out of Darkness”

QUALITY EDUCATION SINCE 1938

Term 1 — 2018/03 10th April 2018

It is 5.30 am on the morning of Monday 26th March 2018. A steady stream of headlights meander towards Coffs Harbour High School to meet three buses awaiting the arrival of Year 7 students and staff all bound for The Great Aussie Bush Camp at Tea Gardens. Bleary eyed parents delivered their children in various states of excitement and nervousness. Luggage loaded, a quick roll call and the buses were away, farewelled by a brilliant sunrise over the Jetty Harbour. Students enjoyed music, movies, conversation, reading, card games and sleeping, to while away the three hour bus trip, arriving at The Great Aussie Bush Camp at 11.00 am. A quick briefing by camp leaders before students headed to lunch in the dining hall. With groups and rooms allocated, students and staff launched into their first of six activities over the three days including Kayaking, Canoeing, Fencing, The Giant Slide, Team Challenge, Abseiling and everyone’s favourite, Lost Island.

YEAR 7 THE GREAT AUSSIE BUSH CAMP

2 CHHS NEWSLETTER 2018/03

Day 1 night activity was Challenge Night, where students participated in activities competing against each other in team and individual challenges such as planking and picking a piece of paper off the ground with their mouth whilst doing the splits – with even some teachers mastering this one! After a long day, we headed back to our camp for a campfire, chocolate milk, a cookie and a story before settling in for the night after such a huge first day.

YEAR 7 CAMP

3 CHHS NEWSLETTER 2018/03

Day 2 Coordinated by camp leaders and Mr MacDonald, students woke to a rousing rendition of the last post at 6.30 am by our resident bugler, Felix. Breakfast at 7.00 am and first activity of the day at 8.00 am. Morning tea was a highlight of the students’ day as they got to create their own snow cones. Following lunch, we boarded three camp buses and headed for the sand dunes, where students ran, rolled and tumbled down the face of the dunes. Leaving the dunes, the buses headed for Jimmy’s Beach for a swim and beach games before heading back to camp for dinner. Tonight’s activity was Commando, with teachers competing against teams of students to protect hostages hidden in the bush under the cloak of night. Screams and squeals were heard from every direction as teachers exited student teams when spotted by torchlight. With Mr Baker, Mr Lawson and Mr Murtha on the teachers’ side, it was a convincing win for the teachers! Back to camp for supper and sleep in preparation for day 3.

YEAR 7 CAMP

4 CHHS NEWSLETTER 2018/03

Day 3 Rise and shine at 6.00 am on day 3 wasn’t quite as energetic as day 2. Students packed their bags and cleaned their rooms for camp leader inspection before heading to breakfast and their final two activities. A shower for Lost Island groups before lunch then back to camp to load luggage onto buses and a quick roll call before heading home. Even after three days of challenging physical activities, there was singing, chatting and laughing the whole way home with not much sleeping. Coffs Harbour High School teachers who attended the Great Aussie Bush Camp commend the students on their enthusiasm in participating in activities, some of which were extremely challenging, pushing them out of their comfort zones. The comradery amongst students was inspiring as they encouraged and supported each other to complete activities, forming new friendships and creating lifelong memories to build on as they move through their years at Coffs Harbour High School.

YEAR 7 CAMP

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Melissa Garrels RELIEVING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL YEARS 7, 9 AND 11

My favourite thing about Year 7 camp ……. The high ropes course because I overcame my fear of heights.

Team challenge, I got encouragement from the others.

Chocolate milk around the campfire was AMAZING, THE BEST thing ever.

The zip line teamwork activity was my favourite thing to do. I enjoyed the people and food but many people snored and the only sleep I got was six hours altogether. But apart from that, I REALLY enjoyed my time there!

YEAR 7 CAMP

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What I liked about The Great Aussie Bush Camp was how similar it was to camping because I love camping. My favourite activity that we did was this game called Commando. It was pretty much hide and seek but in the middle of the bush.

My favourite part of the camp was probably the mud course (Lost Island) and Commando (the night activity). I also liked that I was in a cabin with different people other than my immediate friend group. Eve

Camp was really fun. We did some really fun things. My favourite part was doing the team challenge because obviously it was high and I love heights. There were a few kids that were really scared because it was so high, so it was good to help them out so that they didn’t feel left out. Ethan

The Year 7 camp was great fun. I enjoyed getting to know my friends from outside of school. I’m very proud of my friend Hayley for conquering her fears. On top of the abseiling wall, she was very nervous, however she overcame her fears and we both got down safely. Sarah

The Year 7 camp was awesome for many reasons. Personally I loved the abseiling and the giant slide because I love heights and I knew I was safe. It is a great bonding experience and a good time to get to know people. I had an awesome instructor named Lucas. I would love to go again sometime. Jyden

The Year 7 camp was a good camp with a range of activities. My favourite activity was Commando, a game played in the wood at night, kind of like spotlight and also the team challenge which is a high rope course. The food was really good too. Bailey

The Great Aussie Bush Camp was one of the coolest places I have been in my life. Abseiling was my favourite activity. Each time I went down I felt like a spy in a movie! I also met people I either didn’t know well, or people I had never seen at all. This is definitely my favourite camp.

I think the favourite part of the school camp was meeting new people. I had the chance to make new friends that could possibly stay with me for the rest of high school.

My favourite activity was the team challenge because all the obstacles were exciting and fun and doing it with your friends was good. The Commando as a night activity was really enjoyable and probably one of the highlights of the camp for me.

On camp we did lots of activities that pushed some of us out of our comfort zone. My favourite activity was the team change high ropes course. In a team we had to complete many obstacles while being high off the ground. I had a very enjoyable time on camp and I would definitely go back.

My favourite activities were the Commando and the team challenge. I enjoyed doing all the fun activities with my friends. I also really enjoyed the mud course. Sophie

The Great Aussie Bush Camp was so much fun. My favourite activity was the team challenge high ropes course. It was a great experience and I made a few more friends. I also really enjoyed the mud course and Commando. Lilly

YEAR 7 CAMP

7 CHHS NEWSLETTER 2018/03

The zip line group work activity was my favourite thing at The Great Aussie Bush Camp. People at the camp were helpful, kind and funny. It was a really nice place to stay in.

My favourite thing that I did at the camp was abseiling because it was very scary but also really fun. I also liked the ropes course because it was challenging.

My favourite thing about the camp was the high ropes team challenge because I liked being able to float in the air without doing the course but the course was good too. The camp was fun because I was able to play with my mates. Connor

My favourite activities were the giant slide, mud course, ropes course and abseiling.

I thought The Great Aussie Bush Camp was a great experience and I quite enjoyed it. My favourite activity was the team challenge because it was fun going across the high ropes and finishing with the flying fox. Riley

I really enjoyed the school camp. My favourite activity was the team challenge. I enjoyed all activities at camp and would definitely go back. Alec

In Week 9 of this term we had the Year 7 excursion. We went to The Great Aussie Bush Camp. There were lots of activities, all were very fun. My favourite activity was the team challenge high ropes course. I liked being up in the air with a challenge trying not to fall.

The Year 7 Great Aussie Bush Camp was a great experience. There was loads of great activities that we did but the team challenge (high ropes course) was the best. I didn’t think I would do well on it but I did.

until next time

YEAR 7 CAMP