Prep - 2 Hike

Students from prep to grade 2 journeyed across the Candlebark property with their year group. Here are some of their adventures...

Year 3 Camp

Grampians camp. Year 3. 23 kiddaroonies and three teachers. Sunshine blazing through the blue sky, warming our faces and hearts.

Final check. Trailer? Packed. Buses? Jammed full of backpacks, bottles and bits of apple. Mood? Joyful, extraordinarily joyful.

And why you ask, was it so joyful? Was it merely the idea of a camp that brought out such jubilation? Or could it be the fact that 2020 had literally been one of the THE HARDEST and WEIRDEST years EVER and for a moment there we had wondered if we would ever be able to take the little darlings out in nature again. And yet here we were, ready to go, with the amount of delectable baked goods stacked high and our energy stacked higher.

We loaded the kids in, and headed off. The drive was smooth, I drove the Kia with a few happy kids chatting away and as we listened to mellow tunes I marvelled at how resilient children are, that they can experience so much and yet remain totally in the present in each moment, letting go and bouncing back so quickly.

Speaking of bouncing, we drive a few hours and pull up in Ballarat at a giant playground. The first to greet us Mama Swan, Papa Swan and 5 ludicrously fluffy signets. An excellent way to be greeted to be sure. We send the kids racing into the playground fray and knock up some sandwiches and watermelon, which get devoured some time later. We then wet our heads with water, head back to the buses and make our way towards our home for the next four days, the glorious Grampians.

When we arrive, we see that there are already quite a few residents in our allocated camping spot. Luckily they are of the hopping variety, and don’t tend to stay in one place for very long. We will become very familiar with these furry friends over the next few days, and one particular joey, who has a penchant for sleeping backwards with only his one paw and tail sticking out the pouch, will fast become our favourite. We also see echidnas, two wild emus running amok and a very adorable duck family of five.

We begin to unpack and while I would like to say the sun cools off and many hands make for light work, this would not be entirely true. What I will say is that we were grateful that the sun was out and while there weren’t many hands at work after such a hot long ride, we did have a few hands, and those were great! After a bit of huffing and puffing we set out for a swim at Venus Baths. I might add that there were a few grumpy faces prior to this moment, some tent grizzles, some lost hats. A few frowns that really ought to be stretched upwards. And boy did Venus Baths do EXACTLY this. As soon as the kids see the steep rock faces, the natural rock pools slides, the cool yellow pools, they are beside themselves. Squeals, squeaks, uncontrollable giggles erupted and within mere seconds, all are soaking wet, dipping, dripping, dancing and diving. Some perch on rocks squawking like sirens (I’m talking to you Gage!), others venture bravely towards the rock to try their hand at lizard-like scrambling. Many get so high up the rock, I have to look away for fear they would end up completely horizontal and gravity will make fools of us all. But none do, and some extremely excited chatter can be heard (did you SEE me, I was SO high).

6pm comes and we head back although many contest this decision! But with the thought of Marissa’s bolognaise driving us on, we get back to camp and cook up a feast and no-one goes hungry tonight! Glazed eyes meet mine as we get teeth brushed and into pj’s. Teddies are found, then lost, then found again. A few hairy 8 legged friends are not at all politely kicked out of our tents and then before we know it, the stars are out and so were the kids! Miraculously this state of calm and quiet lasts the entire night and only in the morning (a little too early for my liking) we wake up to a VERY loud sound, which is not the expected sound of chatter but of torrential rain. Boy is it raining and boy does it rain and rain and rain and then rain some more. It rains so hard and so long, and in between it thunders and lightning crackles and fizzes and we look at weather apps and find rain jackets and eat LOTS of toast in the only undercover space we have, the kitchen.

For a while, Cam and I feel a tad frazzled. We’ve already been up for 5 hours or so and the rain hasn’t let up AT ALL. Suddenly we have the brilliant epiphany of taking the kids somewhere indoors, at least for the afternoon. Hello google, help a teacher out! After a few minutes, one thing becomes crystal clear.

Movies: Closed.

Library: only 10 at a time

Bowling: Closed

Every other inside venue known to humankind: Closed.

Damn you Covid, you are truly a worthy opponent.

While we take stock of the situation, we go and collect some board games. Monopoly, which by far is the favourite, really highlights how quickly the capitalist fever can take over. Watch out Murdochs, we got some pretty savvy year 3 boys who are COMIN AT CHA! Meanwhile, as the boys are sending Cam and Ollie broke, the rest of the group are diving deep into drama games and after a short while have come up with some twisted fairytales that are so gruesome, I think even the Grimm brothers might feel uneasy. A personal favourite of mine is when Red Riding hood and Goldilocks decide it would be more equitable if they were to ‘share’ grandma for their next meal. Poor grandma, she never saw it coming.

Suddenly, as if the heavens are looking down fondly upon these clever, self-sufficient little legends, the sky calms, the rain eases to a drizzle and we round up the gang and head straight up the mountain on what was meant to be a short hour walk to a waterfall. As we near the waterfall, we are met with something… unpleasant. Is it a rotten banana that someone has left in their pocket? A sock that has been worn 5 times too many? No, no, it’s a dead roo, and one whose life has come to a tragic end. Once we have sufficiently investigated the dead mammal, the stench becomes overwhelming and we decide to leave the animal in peace. We head back down the mountain but on a whim decide to walk up to the pinnacle. I have always admired mountain goats, their tenacity and ability to leap courageously across rocky ledges with little to no fear. Well, I can assure you, we have a few mountain goats in year 3. The climbing, the scrambling up, the graceful, gazelle like leaping from ledge to ledge. These kids are incredible. And the more they climb the more energetic they become. By the time we get to the very top they are very nearly dancing with excitement. We take a photo and they turn and race back down the mountain. Our hour mission has become 3 and a half hours and we are all pretty tickled that we’ve snuck such a great adventure into such a wild day.

That night we tuck into Mexican and look, I don’t want to brag, but my magical Mexican beans appease even the toughest ‘I don’t really like that red stuff” critic. In fairness, we did have close to 20 avocados to sweeten the deal and these kids know the value of a good avocado. It is delicious! Bed time comes and another night of relative calm is ticked off.

Day three brings rain again but we decide to brave it and head out walking anyway. We swap a 5 hour hike for a 3 hour hike and head up the very very, did I say VERY steep climb. After what feels like a never ending incline, through gorgeous rocks and waterfalls, we find ourselves 750 feet high at the top. We munch on some sandwiches and cakes and all feel like we’ve achieved something terrific. I think all just quietly, we are also quite happy that it is all decline on the way down, a much easier order of things.

Our final night brings with it fried rice, an attempt to pack bags up a bit and a WILD and WaCKy talent show. Ventriloquy, arthouse and comedy are the main themes and some very clever skits are on show. Arthouse wins the day and the judges comment on the creepiness which has won over the crowd. We head to bed for our final night, and although hearts are warmed at the thought of seeing family, I know we’ve all had a great camp.

Unfortunately, after a brief respite from bad weather, it seems Mother Nature has a point to prove and she lets out her best. Gale force winds shake the tents, poles snap, pegs come loose and the howl of the wind keeps a few of us awake (that’d be you and me and Cam) worrying that we’ll wake up in the great outdoors with our tents in the creek. But lady luck shines upon us and the tents, by and large, are fine, except my bell tent, but thankfully, the kids are bright and sparky and slept through most of it! We shake the remnants of sleep out of our eyes and get to work packing.

Miraculously, a few hours later we have eaten, packed and are sitting together in our last circle. We each hold a stick and a rock and share those things that have been challenging and those that have inspired, and will stick with us forever. Some truly lovely, honest and authentic stories are shared and all feel ready to head home. We board the buses, say goodbye to our furry mates and head home. One short stop to fill our bellies with hot chips and we find ourselves back on the beautiful Candlebark mountain. Parents hug, kids drag bags, teachers put away weetbix and all is well.

Thank goodness it’s Friday and a weekend of rest awaits us! It sure had a few challenges, but I know the resilience of kids, the mastery they showed climbing and the ability to entertain themselves under tough conditions will stick with me. The views, the roos and the rain, won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

Taekwondo Club

A Candlebark parent has written to me about a Taekwondo Club to say 'I thought I would send you some feedback about the club, considering it calls the Alice Miller gym its Dojang.

`Michelle, the instructor (a nana who can do high kicks), has been a great positive force in our children's' lives. She nurtures her club with kindness, patience and generosity of spirit. Also, you’d be pleased to know that quite a few Candlebark kids now attend the classes (interestingly composed of mostly girls students).

`We are very grateful to be part of this taekwondo community...'

This may be of interest to some of you. The club has no association with the school, apart from using our gymnasium, but if you'd like further information about it, you could contact Michelle directly at voightys@bigpond.com

- John

Bird Watching

Spring is the ideal time to explore and enjoy our beautiful Candlebark bush. So, with binoculars around our necks and our bird books tucked under our arms, we spent happy days walking and birdwatching. We contribute annually to Australia's Backyard Birdcount and this year was especially exciting as we think we spotted quite a large number of birds nesting high up in tree hollows. Little fairy wrens popped out to chirp hello to us as we sat quietly for 20 minutes in one place to do our spotting and our counting.

We walked along old trails hoping to spot Bunjil, but we think our local Wedge Tailed Eagle was having a snooze high up in his stick nest. Luckily we had plenty of yummy supplies to keep our energy up on the long walk home. We didn't spot Bunjil but we did spot a funny little gnome hiding in the tree trunk. Can you see him?

- By Wendy Powell

Grade 4 camp

4 Rivers in 4 days: The Coliban, Campaspe, Werribee and Lerderderg Rivers, 10-13 November

We spent most of our time wet! Wet from swimming in rivers and a lake, wet from tumultuous and spectacular Spring storms and wet from sailing our beautiful handmade boats. We explored the Coliban River, the Campaspe River and the Lerderderg River and we saw the Werribee river from high above whilst flying through the air! (more to come about that later)

In preparation for our camp we spent the whole day together, each making a wooden boat. There was much shaping, sanding, gluing, wood burning, then painting, sail making and rope coiling. They looked magnificent and most importantly they were thoughtfully built and therefore ready for river travel. While we made our boats we talked about the importance of equality in a group. We played some games that helped our collective listening skills and we reflected on our different personalities by discussing personality traits. We discovered that some of us are introverts and some of us are extroverts and some are in between. We collectively agreed that it is essential to make space for all of us.

Their maiden voyage was at the Cascades in Metcalfe where we set sail on the Coliban river.

The stunning rock pools of the Cascades. This is where Blizz lead a powerful Remembrance day service followed by an acknowledgement of country ceremony.

Then we sailed our boats on the Campaspe river just below the stunning Turpin falls.

It was there that the dramatic spring storm let loose. We ran up from the river, jumped in our bus and found shelter under a magnificent Oak tree at the Malmsbury botanical gardens. We devoured homemade chocolate treats in the pouring rain. We also lost our footy in the lake, but only temporarily. We tried using our combined Jedi mind power to retrieve it but alas to no avail. Albert and Jimmy had found an abandoned blow up tube on the Campaspe river so Jimmy valiantly used this to paddle out and rescue the footy. A flock of geese were watching on.

We stayed at school in the library to avoid the severe storm that night. We heard the loudest clap of thunder that we had all ever heard. The kids were convinced that it cracked the window in the piano room. It was ear splitting. Luca then serenaded us to sleep with his exquisite classical guitar playing.

We woke up at 5.00am (we didn’t quite need to wake up at 5.00am but that is when the giggling started!) to head off to Lake Dewar YMCA camp in Myrniong for the day. We met some fabulous Outdoor Education instructors there who shared their enthusiasm and sense of adventure with us. We learnt to stand up paddle board, individually and on a giant sized one that we could all fit on. We jumped off a jetty, we zoomed beside the lake on kick bikes, we problem solved a pirate ship escape tunnel and flew like Eagles and raced each other for 300 metres overlooking Werribee gorge and the river on a dual flying fox.

That night we camped right on the bank of the Lerderderg River at a campsite called O’Brien’s crossing.

On our last morning we walked for 7 kms along a track that traversed high above the Lerderderg River to an old mining tunnel. Miners in 1855 had blown a hole in a rocky escarpment to divert the river. This allowed them to search for gold in the old river bed. Some kids even found relics from mining days. Daisy found several pieces of broken pottery and some old glass bottles. We were true archaeologists. We had to inch our way over the river using a log to get a good view of the tunnel.

We skimmed stones, we cooked, we nearly shared our dinner with a swooping kookaburra on the Lerderderg, and we lost our voices on the bus from the sheer delight in being together and from loud, enthusiastic singing.

Thankyou Cooper, Esther, Henry H, Henry A, Chloe, Remy, Chad, Daisy, Otto, Orvie, Sam C, Phoenix, Jimmy, Banjo, Albert, Chae, Ziggy, Blizz and Luca for being so adventurous, enthusiastic, fun and such great company. Also thanks to Murray and Max Tucker who helped with the initial boat shaping and to Marissa and Cheryl for organising our delicious camp food.

- Written By Kate Tucker

Whole School Ceramics

La Tour Eiffel

Bonjour ! You might remember that in Term 3, the grade 3/4 students learnt about the Eiffel tower in French: la tour Eiffel.

At the begining of Term 4 when we got back to school, two grade 3/4 students, Connor Akey and Orville Wood brought a model that they have built at home during lockdown.

Here are some pictures of their amazing model of the Eiffel tower and a few words from their creators.

Connor Akey, 9 years old.

"The height is 80 cm, and the base is 25 by 25 cm. It took me 2 weeks to make it. I used pop sickle sticks, lego, spray paint, cardboard for the flag and the arches, toothpicks for the railing and polystyrene. And a hot glue gun. It was actually really fun to build it. What we learnt in French helped me to build it, like the fact that there is a cafe on the first floor. I knew how it looks, but I did not know how it was built. Sunbury was in lockdown when I made it, so I did not have access to a lot of resources. That was tricky. My mum helped me to build it, but I did most of the work. I am proud of how it came out. "

Orville Wood, 10 years old.

"The base is 35 by 35 cm, and the total height from the base to the tip of the antenna is 1 m. I used scrap pieces of metal and steel. I did most of the welding at home, in the shed, with a bit of help from my dad. To design it, I looked at pictures and also from what we learnt in French. It was easy,, and I enjoyed making it and pulling it together. If I had to do it again, I would use another kind of paint. The one we used was the cheapest option,, and I was not happy with the final result; the paint was not sticking properly to the metal. I am proud of it. I am donating it to the French classroom."

Bravo Connor et Orville!

- Written By Steve Pollet

Bella's Big Chop

Isabella Murphy is a student in 2z who writes wonderful poems, is a kind friend, can run like the wind, can do the splits AND has incredibly long hair! This hair is going to be cut off in the next little while!

This will mean two things- firstly, her hair will be used to create a wig for a child who has lost their hair due to a medical condition AND by having sponsors, she hopes to raise $1000 for Variety - the Children's Charity, to provide vital equipment to a child in need.

To create a wig you need a minimum of 35.5cm of hair- that is longer than a ruler...

If you would like to sponsor Isabella's bold endeavour, please go to this link Bella's Big Chop

Note: As of going to press Isabella has already done the chop but you can still donate to this worthy cause.

Reflections from the 2020 Candlebark and Alice Miller Bike Ride

Reflections from the 2020 Candlebark and Alice Miller Bike Ride.

Monday with the Flying Pigeons

The 2020 Candlebark and Alice Miller Bike Ride would be the largest ever - 70 students, four ride groups, three start points, two handfuls of staff and parent volunteers, and one epic adventure! For the Flying Pigeons, the adventure began in Woodend. And as one Alice Miller student pointed out:

“The excitement of being on camp was overwhelming. After this whole year, it was great to just get away, to meet new people, and to create bonds with others we usually don't hang out with. As soon as I got to the camp on the first day I was greeted by people I didn't even know yet - it was great”.

On that first day, the Flying Pigeons were the only ride group with students from both schools. They blended beautifully and rode superbly, arriving at lunch as it was still being set up. But it wasn’t all easy going, as another student noted:

‘“At the start of the ride I began to get some adrenaline, yet 30 minutes in, I was puffed out from riding a bike that weighs a tonne compared to other bikes, and the brakes were rubbing. But you know, all the challenges actually made the camp more interesting. So I did enjoy it, in a very complicated way”.

Building on an impressive morning of riding, the Flying Pigeons then tackled the long, steady climb to the Burke and Wills Track, and the nearby Baynton Hall. They were the very first to arrive - a momentous occasion that was celebrated with a long rest in the shade, and a tasty Mexican feast for dinner.

Tuesday with the Scorchers - By Shaun

Day two loomed large with the first significant challenge of the bike camp - the tough 2km grind up Mt Alexander at the end of the day. Everyone was up, excited, and ready to go. All except one student, who was still asleep in his tent! We eventually departed from the Baynton Hall in good spirits and with perfect conditions for cycling the wide open roads which were undulating, not hilly!

It was thirsty work and the watermelon awaiting us in Metcalfe was a welcome sight and the perfect lunch. Each day, lunch was prepared in the kitchen at Candlebark, and delivered and set up by a different volunteer. These volunteers were often our saviours - not only did they deliver food, they also drove support vehicles and cycled with us each day. We couldn't have done what we did without these people around to help us.

An optional visit to the Metcalfe Cascades was not an option for the Scorchers once the Boneshakers had arrived. Those that were desperate to arrive were soon desperate to get under way. Fortunately, the route was good and the riding was excellent.

Mt Alexander grew ever larger in the distance, but it didn't seem possible we could reach it in one day. We entered another gravel stretch and soon discovered a substantial warm up hill that may not have been as long, but was probably steeper than the mountain itself. Those who may have held some energy in reserve for the 'climb', needed it while crossing a slippery granite slab as the road steepened sharply. Those who had tried for some added momentum soon found themselves sliding sideways across the slab instead.

Sufficiently exhausted, we arrived at the bottom of the final climb to the campsite. Jelly snakes were distributed and the faster riders volunteered to have a crack first. By now, the sun was scorching and we had already ridden 60kms. However, to their credit, most who attempted the challenge, completed it. Most students and staff were rightly proud, and spent, when they arrived at the campsite.

Without mentioning individual names, we were particularly impressed with a number of girls who really excelled in this endeavour, including a few who had done very little cycling previously. They displayed true grit and determination with very little complaint. It really was a tough climb in the heat.

There were no ice creams at the top. In fact, there was no food at all - the support vehicle with the food was shuttling other riders along the route. Instead, we had an apple and sipped warm water from our bottles. But it didn't matter - we had tired bodies, but beaming smiles. Later, we walked out to cheer the second group as they arrived. This kind of support and encouragement, that the students gave each other right throughout the week, was a real highlight of the ride.

Wednesday with the High Wheelers - By Wendy

The early morning light and bird calls at our bush camp, high on Mt Alexander, heralded the start of a great day. Emerging from the cocoons of our tents or simply rolling off a tarp, we began our third day of riding.

An exhilarating descent of Mt Alexander could not have been a better beginning for the High Wheelers, and with no skid-outs or tumbles, we raced down the mountain, feeling like Tour de France racers.

We pedaled along gorgeous country roads, and then through the very heart of Castlemaine, following a scenic route towards the historic Muckleford train station. The shady lunch spot beside the railway line was a welcome break as the temperature seemed to rise steadily. Donna had set out lunch for us, and we gobbled watermelon, wraps and salad.

The trail from Muckleford to Maldon was a well marked mountain bike track, which most of the team handled super well. They seemed unfazed by the uneven, rocky gravel and they impressed me with their bike handling. But the hills and heat were taking a toll. Some sections were so steep and rocky that some of our team did a lot of walking their bikes - sort of like taking the dog for a walk, with the bike not always going where its partner wanted it to go!

Despite the challenges, our morale remained steady. The rest of the team encouraged and patiently waited for those still coming. This turned out well for Wendy who had stopped to help the back riders and had then started heading up the wrong track! Our support people were wonderful - one even swapped his bike with a student rider so that she would be able to manage the hills more easily. This was just one of the many kind gestures we observed during the week.

We entered Maldon via an amazing grassland - racing single file across bridges, up and down over little roller coaster hills. Awaiting us was an oasis of flat green grass at the local sports oval - the perfect place to pitch a tent. We enjoyed delicious pasta and pesto for dinner, followed by mulberries from a local tree, ball games, chatting in the shade, and showers - the colder the better! We finished the night by watching ‘BMX BANDITS’, which according to some was ‘so bad it was good’. This completed what we all decided was one of our favourite days so far.

Thursday with the Boneshakers - By Sam

We began Thursday by retracing our route from the previous afternoon, although it wasn’t really the same route. On the way to Maldon, it was mostly uphill. On the way back to Muckleford it was mostly downhill, which made it a glorious ride through the bush on quiet tracks that we had entirely to ourselves.

From Muckleford we continued south, initially along straight roads and then around a series of bends. For most of the morning, we could see the brightly coloured vests of the Scorchers on the horizon. We took this as a sign that we were riding well as a group, and we soon joined them for a swim and lunch in the deep shade at Vaughan Springs.

The springs were a hard place to leave on a hot day, especially when we had more than 20km still to cycle, and most of it was uphill. However, situations like these have a way of bringing out the best in people. They also help us to realise that we are often far more capable than we imagine ourselves to be. The stage was set for an epic afternoon of cycling.

We encountered plenty of hills, very little shade, loose gravel, a dwindling water supply, and a broken chain, all within the first hour. A friendly local resupplied our water. The bike with the broken chain was replaced with another that was far better than the original. And we eventually found shade and a river crossing where we splashed in the water and took a break from the bikes.

We were feeling good when we got back on our bikes. There was less than 10km to travel, and a gentle breeze cooled our wet hair and skin. Until we cycled around a bend and discovered the most ridiculously long and steep hill imaginable! The road was straight and there was no end in sight, it just went up and up and up, seemingly forever.

Two girls, one from Grade 6 and another from Year 7, set off so fast that there was no time to contemplate anything other than following them. When they got tired, they pulled off the road to cheer those who had bravely followed them. The encouragement continued until we reached the top, at the tiny township of Glenlyon, our home for the night.

We gathered on the edge of town, less than five minutes from the end. A support vehicle pulled up beside us, with four students from another ride group. The student in the front apologised for the final ‘uphill’ that we still had to ride. He pointed to the road ahead. It did lead uphill, but it was nothing compared to where we had already been. This made us smile. We cruised comfortably up the hill, before rolling down into the deep shade of the tree lined Glenlyon recreation reserve. We felt tired, but elated - feelings we were able to enjoy for the remainder of the afternoon and evening.

Friday with the Scorchers - By Adrian

The last day of a trip always seems to be one of mixed emotions. There are moments spent dreaming of the familiarity of home, moments spent reliving the excitement of the previous days, and of course, moments spent living in the present. After all, the Scorchers still had 50km between them and the finish!

And what a beautiful 50km they were. As we rode from Glenlyon to Macedon we experienced tailwinds, rolling hills through picturesque farmland, and a creek crossing so deep that most of our bikes disappeared.

From lunchtime onwards, the two Alice Miller groups merged to finish the ride together. It was then that the last day energy could really be felt. We had riders who had considered themselves suitable for one of the less experienced groups powering past everyone up the hills. It was an ever important reminder that the capabilities of 13 year olds, and young people in general, should not be underestimated!

Congratulations to all those who completed the 2020 Candlebark and Alice Miller Bike Ride! And a massive thanks to the teaching staff, kitchen staff, maintenance crew, and the outstanding bunch of volunteers who supported the riders in so many different ways throughout the week.

Ancient Egypt

Throughout this final term of 2020, 2z have been studying the intriguing world of Ancient Egypt. From incredible monuments and archaeological discoveries to an early writing system and complex rituals to enter the afterlife, Ancient Egypt really captures the imagination.

Throughout the term the students made some wonderful art works. Inspiration began with a small painting on papyrus brought in by Ivy, and this image was scaled up to the enormous painting we have in the classroom. Each student did a gridded square, paying attention to proportion just as Egyptian fresco artists did. We then pieced it all together and the results were wonderful. Our rendition is 800% larger than the original painting!

We then moved on to looking at the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. After reading and writing about the contents of the short lived boy pharaoh's tomb, the children turned their hands to crafting a sarcophagus. Using a huge range of sophisticated pottery techniques such as pattern creation, careful joining, mould casting, creating lids to fit a vessel and applying texture and colour, the completed art works came out of the kiln to much excitement.

Finally, the class created some bold portraits using ink on the 'papyrus' paper that had been made over days using strips of fibre. It was an arduous and methodical job, and the children got an understanding of how precious papyrus was.

Written By Katy Penman

Year 7 Camp

Our Last Year 7 Candlebark Camp

The Year 7s recently had their last camp of Candlebark—the last several nights they’ll ever spend with their friendly teachers.

They left on Friday the 3rd December and half of the class arrived at Arapiles and the other at Kennett River.

Group 2s Story (the one that surfed first) :

We arrived at Kennett River Holiday Park around four in the afternoon after a long bus trip listening to music—including dramatic and depressing rap music—and singing along to them. We all sang along to Let It Go which was hilarious.

The next morning we woke to a pleasant surprise: there were parrots landing on us and eating our breakfast! I loved them; they were adorable, even though there was a sign behind us saying ‘DON’T FEED THE BIRDS PLEASE!’.

Anyway, we surfed at 10 o’clock that morning with three instructors from the Go Ride A Wave company. I wasn’t able to stand up on the surfboard but I was so close over the two days we spent surfing.

After we surfed, we started hiking the Great Ocean Walk on the fourth day. The first day hiking was 10km I think, and we stayed on top of a sort of mountain—I’m not really sure—for the night. That night Alex ate a spider as a dare given to him by Olivia. I was asleep, but apparently it was gut-wrenching to watch.

The second day of the hike… the Pretty Pedi Girls formed. From there on out, Henry was Sienna, Wyni was Chelsia, Nell was Teenahyae, and Olivia was Amelia. (Yes, I spelt the names right.) Oh my god, they were a pain (according to me, that is). They kept saying things like, “Oh my god, do you want to get a pedicure?” or “Chelsiah, you’re such a crackheadah!” which was annoying as.

The third day of the hike, Rook, Alex and Ned found a little baby bird with two massive scratches on its neck and bruising all on its face—alive. Me and Rook stayed up with it all night to keep it warm. But, unfortunately, Baby Albert died in the morning, most likely from blood loss. We made a grave for it and had a bit of an internal cry.

The next day, we got in the bus and drove to Arapiles for some rock climbing.

Over the two next days, we rock climbed, abseiled, multi-pitched, and had a rocking good time. The second last day it was actually Alice’s birthday! (She turned 13.)