Geelong Grammar School is very different than Brentwood in that the vast majority of the students that graduate in Year 12 have been in their school since Year 9. This means a greater potential for scaffolding of the skills that are needed to succeed in the upper years in the core components of the school (academics, sports, boarding, leadership, etc.). What is also very different is that their Year 9s spend the entire year living in the mountains at a different campus – Timbertop. I think I’ve mentioned Timbertop in a previous post, but to me, Timbertop seems like the most intense and possibly rewarding experience any young person could have. I think it would be something that a school like Brentwood should have a serious think about reproducing in Canada. We certainly have the wilderness locals to make it work. But, I digress…
At the end of the first term of Year 10 all students in the grade head out on “camps”. Most of these kids know each other fairly well already but are now settling into a new learning environment on the Corio Campus of GGS. They do it as a release, as a way to settle in, as a celebration of a term done, as a way for students to maybe explore things they haven’t really explored before, and to let students and teachers get to know each other better. Regardless of the reason, my experience on camp was GREAT!
I was on the Kennett River Surf Camp, which involved lots of time in the water attempting to surf and lots of time getting to know the coworkers that were on camp with me and the 48 students that were along for the ride as well.
Day 1 was packed with events, beginning with a surf in Anglesea (a town near the beginning of the Great Ocean Road), followed by lunch and surf kayaking. The weather was overcast but the waves were perfect and the camp was off to a great start. We then had afternoon “tea” (snacks) and headed off to Lorne, a beautiful coastal town, where they did some challenges and we walked the waterfront to the pier. After that it was off to camp to set up camp and have dinner. We ended up setting up our tents during the rain, but that was virtually the only rain we saw all week, much better than the weather predictions.
At the end of the first term of Year 10 all students in the grade head out on “camps”. Most of these kids know each other fairly well already but are now settling into a new learning environment on the Corio Campus of GGS. They do it as a release, as a way to settle in, as a celebration of a term done, as a way for students to maybe explore things they haven’t really explored before, and to let students and teachers get to know each other better. Regardless of the reason, my experience on camp was GREAT!
I was on the Kennett River Surf Camp, which involved lots of time in the water attempting to surf and lots of time getting to know the coworkers that were on camp with me and the 48 students that were along for the ride as well.
Day 1 was packed with events, beginning with a surf in Anglesea (a town near the beginning of the Great Ocean Road), followed by lunch and surf kayaking. The weather was overcast but the waves were perfect and the camp was off to a great start. We then had afternoon “tea” (snacks) and headed off to Lorne, a beautiful coastal town, where they did some challenges and we walked the waterfront to the pier. After that it was off to camp to set up camp and have dinner. We ended up setting up our tents during the rain, but that was virtually the only rain we saw all week, much better than the weather predictions.
Day 2 involved two surf sessions sandwiching a bunch of games in the surf. The waves were pretty intense and much of the time for us amateurs was spend body surfing/swimming for fear of getting thrashed. Back in camp, I started to discover the wonderful wildlife that surrounded us. There were wild koalas all through our campsite as well as gorgeous birds of all colours. We also had a possum visit the campsite that night. Up in the field on the other side of the river we could see a dozen or so kangaroos, just enjoying a nibble of grass. All these animals cause little ol’ Canadian me to go into a state of awe when I see them. Sometimes it’s hard to believe I live in Australia this year.
Day 3 brought a quick early morning surf followed by a beach hike into Wye River where we did some community service with the kids. Each of the camps involves some sort of community service as part of it – which I think is fantastic. We picked up trash along the banks of the Wye River (which was fantastic as I had just talked water/ocean pollution with my Year 10 Geo students and I had roughly five of them with me). The afternoon ended with a long swing in perfect surf and sunshine. It was a glorious day.
Day 4 saw a quick breakfast and clean-up plus a last poke at the water for those who had the time and energy to do so. We were back on campus by 1pm preparing for the end of term assemblies and getting the kids out of their dorms for our two week break.
It was a wonderful four days. I really enjoyed getting to know the guy who ran the camp (Michael Hutley) as well as all the other staff. They comprised of a German and a Japanese girl, 3 Aussies, 2 Brits and myself. Spending so much time with Andrew Borthwick confirmed how much I enjoy his company and got me excited for our family’s to spend a few days of break together at their family beach house in Portsea. The students on the trip were, for the most part, exceptionally helpful, keen and well-behaved. I couldn’t have asked for a better four days of “work” to send me off after a very busy Term 1. Some would say camping out and helping organize 48 teenagers isn’t so fun… I reckon it’s what you make of it, and this camp certainly did not disappoint. That being said, bring on the holidays!
It was a wonderful four days. I really enjoyed getting to know the guy who ran the camp (Michael Hutley) as well as all the other staff. They comprised of a German and a Japanese girl, 3 Aussies, 2 Brits and myself. Spending so much time with Andrew Borthwick confirmed how much I enjoy his company and got me excited for our family’s to spend a few days of break together at their family beach house in Portsea. The students on the trip were, for the most part, exceptionally helpful, keen and well-behaved. I couldn’t have asked for a better four days of “work” to send me off after a very busy Term 1. Some would say camping out and helping organize 48 teenagers isn’t so fun… I reckon it’s what you make of it, and this camp certainly did not disappoint. That being said, bring on the holidays!