Year six students from St Paul's Anglican Grammar School recently returned from an unforgettable four-day adventure at Camp Coolamatong on the Banksia Peninsula.
With a mix of sunshine, a little rain and non-stop activity, students embraced every challenge with energy and enthusiasm.
The camp offered a wide range of experiences – from the thrill of tubing and the teamwork of Fox Holes on the beach, to the skill-building activities of bike orienteering and a low ropes course. Students also took to the water in sailing and canoeing sessions, and explored the natural environment through an insightful Indigenous walk.
As they returned to the classroom, students reflected on their time at Coolamatong and drew on the new experiences to enrich their personal learning journey:
William Crow said "once we arrived, I knew for sure that I would really love tubing. I was not wrong. It was so much fun!"
"Nothing was better than zipping 50 kilometres per hour, the salt spray surging in your face. The warmth of the sun was on your back and the wind was in your hair. The water was bucking like a bull, causing your stomach to churn. It was clearly one of my most incredible experiences ever. I do hope to go back and do it all over again," he said
Ashlee Chatelier said "the salty wind rushed past my semi-drenched hair as I fought to hold on to the slippery wet handles of the tube. I desperately clutched the tube as boat fumes wafted past and the white foam from the wake disturbed the still, calm water and sprayed all over me. I tasted a mouthful of salt as we bounced up and down. Tubing at Camp Coolamatong was amazing."
Grace Tawse said "the moment we got there, it was clear that the best camp had been saved for last. The activities ranged from tubing, sailing, canoeing and a trip to the beach, all the way through to bike orienteering, low ropes, an Indigenous walk and more."
Throughout the experience, students demonstrated resilience, perseverance and strong teamwork. They developed vital communication skills and deepened their understanding of positive relationships, lessons that extend well beyond camp life.