Year 8 Camp

After three years of needing to run our Year 8 camp locally, in Week 1 this term, we were finally able to return to the remarkable Gariwerd (Grampians) with Year 8 Core Group 1 and Core Group 2 for their Outdoor Education camp. Residing at Roses Gap, an amazing off the grid campsite in the middle of the Northern Grampians, the camp featured the girls getting out of their comfort zones on an overnight bushwalk in the stunning Barigar region of the Grampians Peaks Trail and participating in other exciting challenges such as high ropes and rock climbing. Relationships were strengthened and independence was fostered as they enjoyed initiative tasks, canoeing and contributed to the overall running of the camp with their duty group time.

Lauren Walker
Head of Outdoor Education

Year 8 camp was a very exciting experience full of many adventures. The experiences helped us build our skills and bond more with the people we might not usually hang out with at school. When we were facing a difficult time, we could work together as a team and build bonding skills that helped us grow through the experience. - Eshal Rauf (Year 8)

One word to describe camp would be challenging. On the bushwalk, hiking uphill was extremely challenging, however as a group we each persevered and showed strong qualities of selflessness, responsibility and, most importantly, kindness. While each activity challenged us mentally and physically, coming out of camp I have developed new skills that I will take with me along my life. As Roger Crawford once said, “Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional”. - Manha Abaid (Year 8)

Throughout this camp, I reconnected with nature and felt all the stress disappear. - Jade Huntington (Year 8)

I found Year 8 camp very fun as I was stretched outside my comfort zone, learned new skills and connected with my peers and friends. My favourite part of camp was the bushwalk, I found this very enjoyable as there were beautiful views, it was a lovely walk and I learned more about my friends. I loved the camping part of the bushwalk as it was fun to set up the tents, cook our food (which tasted better because we were hungry) and enjoy the quick astronomy lesson from our camp instructor, Sean. The things which challenged me most were the high ropes and rock climbing. I am afraid of heights, so this was a major challenge which pushed me outside my comfort zone. - Chloe Herbert (Year 8)

Homework Timetables

Middle school girls received their Term 2 Homework Timetables at the beginning of the term. There have been some minor changes to reflect Term 2 subject timetables. Girls should spend a maximum of 20 minutes on each subject allocated. Girls with commitments on particular evenings are encouraged to discuss these with their subject teachers and negotiate alternative times to complete homework.

• Year 7
• Year 8
• Year 9

Space Forum: Space Passport & Space Discovery Centre Visit

Please enjoy this reflection from Year 9 students Iris Newman and Caitlin Hardin.

On Tuesday 9 May, the Year 9 Space, Robotics and AI class went on an excursion to the Australian Space Forum and the Australian Space Agency. We all took a bus to the Adelaide Convention Centre first, where we were fortunate enough to visit the trade hall at the 15th Australian Space Forum. Using our space passports, we had lots of fun learning about the work different businesses do and the careers they offer. We also learned about the pathways to have a career in space. It was interesting to learn about the vastly different jobs available, as well as the innovative modern technology being developed across Australia. In particular, we all found it very interesting to learn about Fleet Space Technologies, including their new Exosphere that examines minerals on Earth in a much more efficient and eco-friendly way. We also received some cool items, including freeze-dried ice-cream, a keep cup and many stickers and business cards.

Next, we caught a tram to the Australian Space Agency. Here, we met two other schools and were given a presentation by a Wilderness old scholar named Melarn Murphy (2018). The presentation featured a fun game called ‘Fact or Fiction'. This game involved her telling us a sentence about space, and we all had to decide if we thought it was true or not. We learned that when in space, people slowly lose bone and muscle mass. This is why astronauts must use specially designed equipment to exercise six hours a day! After this, we were free to explore the space centre. We played some fun interactive games and immersed ourselves in all things space! We then travelled back to school on a bus.

Overall, the space excursion was a lot of fun, and we all thoroughly enjoyed this incredible opportunity. We have learned so much about space and have been exposed to the many career opportunities in the space industry. This experience is something we will all remember for many years to come.

Encounter Youth Student and Parent Seminars

On Monday 15 May, the Middle School girls will attend alcohol and other drug education seminars during the day. An email was sent earlier in the week, inviting parents and caregivers to attend a parent seminar next Monday evening in Hender Hall from 6.00pm to 7.30pm. Please reserve a seat at the parent seminar using the Trybooking link.

Vaping is an ongoing concern for young people and the wider community. We continue to educate our girls about the risks of these products and governments are now proposing stronger regulation and new controls. You may be interested to read recent communication from Professor Nicola Spurrier regarding the health risks of e-cigarettes/vapes.

Key Dates

Middle School Key Dates for the remainder of the year can be found on SEQTA under the Important Dates portal.

Term dates for 2024 are also available.