On Wednesday 24 July, our Year 10 VET Sport and Recreation students and teachers embarked on a four-day action-packed trip to Falls Creek. In near perfect conditions they learnt how to camp overnight in the snow, cross country ski and either snowboard or ski downhill. The students were well prepared for the campaing experience and there was a range of skills that they had to put into practice on the trip including WH&S practices, organising personal work priorities and responding to emergencies.
In addition to the outdoor experiences, students also learnt about the local aboriginal communities and their engagement with the area over the past 65,000 years.
In support of the Mount Beauty township, on the last night we had our 'formal Friday' with teachers and students purchasing special outfits for the occasion from the local op shop.
My thanks to Mr Hysted, Ms Duff and Ms Gibbs for creating such an amazing experience for our students.
Here are some student reflections:
Before dawn on 24 July at 5:15 am, Mr Beard’s Year 10 Sport and Recreation class, under the supervision of teachers Ms Jess Duff, Ms Serena Gibbs and Mr Greg Hysted, arrived at school pumped for the five-hour drive to Falls Creek for a snow camp. We stopped off at Mount Beauty for some lunch then continued on to Falls Creek to arrive at about 12noon. Once we collected our XC skiing gear we got suited up for a skills session to get our bearings before venturing out.
We managed to ski our way to the Healthy Spur campsite without injury in absolute bluebird weather, which put a smile on some faces. The next morning we packed up camp and went for a ski without our packs on, which was the best thing about XC (other than having to head back to return hired gear). After the great return, we headed to Falls Creek village to collect our downhill gear to shred the slopes for an hour or so, without practice! On that first day, I spent the whole time on my back whilst boarding and was ready for a hot meal and a good night sleep by the end of it. A lesson followed the next morning at 8.30am on basic turning skills and controlling of the board, which gave me some confidence to go faster using the manoeuvres we learnt. The last day on the snow was by far the greatest. Refining skills, linking turns and freestyling on the slopes gave me a sense of accomplishment and joy as I picked up snowboarding within two lessons! After a killer day, we were sad but happy to head home on 27July and slept the whole journey back on the bus.
The camp was a great way to improve fitness and learn new skills. More importantly, it was an opportunity to apply work health and safety aspects in an area outside of class. This required some students to respond in case of emergencies, keeping themselves and others safe. This was my first experience in the snow, and it was an absolute blast. Downhill skiing was by far the highlight for me. I was able to learn new skills and utilise them to have a great time. — Andre Parlas (Year 10 Blue)
Blessed with the best weather our class of 12 students embarked on a trip to Falls Creek accompanied by four great teachers (Mr Hysted, Ms Duffy, Ms Serena and Mr Beard) who all brought a different aspect of enjoyment to our trip. Although our feet and hands were numb on the first night camping out in the snow, our hearts were warm with thoughts of warm cabins and actual beds for the next night provided by a lovely lodge in Howmans Gap.
Cross country skiing may have gone ‘downhill’ but we eventually made it to our beloved destination where we returned our gear just to get more. With the pristine views that we enjoyed on the lifts skiing downhill for days, we began to see how easy it is to fall in love with the great weather and the 80cm of snow at Falls Creek.
With every new day came a new challenge therefore instructors were necessary, whilst 6am rises we thought were not. Even though we were thoughtful of OH&S rules always, falling over was a constant certainty. After eight hours of skiing a day, all you could think about was a hot meal and even hotter shower.
Our last day provided a chilly forecast, even though I got to experience real snow fall for the first time ever. It was definitely worth sitting awkwardly next to a stranger on the lift to get some good pictures that day of the beautiful mountain. After four days of wicked snow and sun I could not wait for a feed from Maccas on the way home. After half an hour of unpacking when we got back to school at 11 in the night, I was fit for my bed and nothing else. — Mikaela O’Brien (Year 10 Green)
