Year 9 Rite Journey Young Women’s Camp

Grantville Lodge provided the perfect backdrop for a Year 9 Rite Journey camp.

The 100 students and 11 teachers who took part were blessed with perfect weather in the low 20s for the three-day camp.

Grantville Lodge is in an idyllic spot area with sweeping hills and views of Westernport Bay. The property has resident wildlife, including kangaroos, sheep, horses and miniature horses, who we were advised not to get too close to as they like to nibble on your fingers if provoked.

Home for the three days were delightful cabin spaces and, of course, the heart of the venue, the dining hall with lovely staff who kept us sustained.

Upon arrival, there was a quick cabin allocation and orientation then, with little time to spare, the students moved off to their first activities. Among these were low ropes, high ropes, canoeing, bracelet making, card making and the giant swing.

Led by the wonderful staff at Grantville, the students explored camaraderie, teamwork, strengths, weaknesses and sometimes a boatload of fears. Many knees were knocking at the height of the giant swing!

The support and professionalism of the Grantville staff in all activities were commendable. Still, a special mention goes to Paul on this activity who cajoled our students into trying their best and, even if they just put the harness on, told them they had succeeded.

The highlight of the evening activities was the very entertaining and well-run trivia night.

Students had an absolute ball competing for the prizes, claimed during the next evening’s movie night.

Some of the greatest moments of the trip came from the lip-sync competition between the groups. It was wonderful to see competition dispelled when the whole cohort jumped up to dance and sing with a peer who had braved the stage accompanied only by a teacher. Friendship ruled over competition and the camaraderie and contribution all the students made in this moment was palpable.

I’d like to thank Miss Hughes and Miss Attard for creating this opportunity for our students through this activity. A big thank you also goes to Mrs Carey who enabled students to make Mother’s Day or Significant Person Day cards and we hope our Year 9 families enjoyed receiving them.

We truly appreciate everything our teachers contributed in the lead up to, and execution of this wonderful event for our students. My thanks goes to the Year 9 Coordinators Mr Jason Rowley, and Miss Hollie Whitlock, and our Rite Journey teachers (not already mentioned above) Miss Clare Hume, Mrs Simone Taylor, Miss Shanelle Sertic, Miss Stephanie Kljajic, Mrs Lynette McGuinness, Miss Emma van Wees and former student Laura McIntyre.

We hope that the connections made this week continue to shine through in the year ahead.