2023 has been an amazing year for Outdoor Education here at Tintern, with endless camps and plenty of opportunities for all students throughout the entire year.
The year started off strong with the Year 7s, alongside a group of Year 11 leaders heading off to the Mornington Peninsula! Here they were doing everything from snorkelling to an exhilarating camp out where they were able to learn plenty of new skills such as using a Trangia, campsite etiquette and how to set up tents, all while having a lot of fun. They were thrown into the deep end and came out knowing each other better with new friendships formed and memories that will last a lifetime. This was made possible by a group of volunteer Year 11 leaders as well as the amazing Outdoor Ed staff and team, who we would like to thatnk.
Moving into Term 2 our Year 8s embarked all the way to the Grampians with a team of Year 10 leaders. Once again, they were again thrown back into the wilderness where they refined the skills learnt in Year 7, throughout a week-long campout in tents. They also had the opportunity to learn some valuable new lessons for hiking, packing packs, managing weight, and getting tasty but light camp food, preparing them for what’s to come in Year 9. Once again, the Year 10 volunteers, Outdoor Ed Staff, and classroom mentors all worked hard made it an incredible experience.
As per usual the Year 9s had an action-packed year, starting off with the Great Ocean Walk. This camp is described by students as one of the most physically intense experiences of their life, but also one of the most rewarding. With the preparation from the last two years, they set off along the stunning Great Ocean Road hiking as a class, pushing each other outside of their comfort zones to reach their goals all while having fun as a class. Moving into winter they had Snow Camp, where unlike the Summer Camp of hard work and thrills they focused on a more relaxed experience. They were able to enjoy the smaller things in their lives such as the view of Mount Kosciuszko as they cross country skied, which is absolutely breath taking.
Both Scarlett and I are so thankful for the opportunity we’ve had to be the Outdoor Ed captains alongside Ms Lowing this past year, who we would like to thank her for everything she has done for us and everyone at Tintern.
Scarlett O’Connor and Oliver Hunt | 2023 Outdoor Education Student Leaders
