Senior School

Year 9 Vision Valley reflections

During part of Term 2, 50 Year 9 students attended the inaugural Vision Valley programme, spending four weeks at Pymble Ladies’ College’s campus in the Hawkesbury, living alongside 70 of their students.

Written by Harrison Chandler (Year 9).

Over the course of our time at Vision Valley, there were two main aspects to our experience. A good deal of our time was spent on campus, or ‘valley days’ as they became known, contrasted by our days off campus completing two expeditions and a solo adventure.

Our first expedition was a challenging three-day hike along the coastline near Sydney in Bouddi National Park. One of the highlights for me was when we reached the beach and played beach cricket and other games after a long day of hiking. Enjoying the sense of achievement with our newfound friends is a memory I will treasure.

This first expedition was tough, but little did we know, it was just a warm-up. On our second expedition, we embarked on a four-day hike along the Great Northern Walk, stretching between Sydney and Newcastle. We camped at various sites, each offering a different level of comfort, but invariably blessed with incredible locations and vistas. We learned a great deal about ourselves, and what it takes to be a great member of a team over those days.

The 24-hour solo experience was the culmination of the programme and was compared to a coming-of-age ceremony. It certainly wasn’t easy and was particularly challenging for me when I discovered my tent didn’t have poles, I am glad to share that I was able to solve that challenge. I spent my time lying on a makeshift bed, reflecting on the amazing time I had at the camp and the lessons I had learned on my valley journey.

I had a lot of fun over the course of the four weeks and, importantly, built lifelong connections with new friends.

The boys at Vision Valley were split into two lodges: Koala and Wallaby. Each lodge was then partnered with one of the lodges where the girls lived, and we took part in smaller groups, or ‘kin groups,’ alongside the Pymble students.  

Written by Jack McGuire (Year 9).

Our cozy and well-heated cabins, something that is important when you are in the Hawkesbury, became our home away from home. Living together and taking care of ourselves was a great experience. We bonded over card games, Milo and shared responsibilities, creating a mini community, even if there were the occasional mundane chores we were all tasked with.

On valley days, we were based at the campus and did a range of activities including high ropes, canoeing, abseiling, rock climbing, mountain biking, team challenges and archery tag. Amongst that, there were days for expedition prep, learning to prepare and dehydrate meals, as well as key navigation and orienteering skills.

A real highlight was the Dulumi, or service project in which each of the kin groups took part. These ranged from making nesting boxes for sugar gliders, hives for native bees, or composting bays, all of which were focused on improving the campus. These rewarding projects made us bond as a team, and feel that we were positively impacting our new community and its environment.

Overall, the experience was very rewarding. If you get the chance to participate in something like Vision Valley, I highly recommend it. It is an incredible opportunity and one that you will never forget.

Thank you to everyone who made this possible and who looked after us in the Hawkesbury, especially to all the parents who enabled us to attend Vision Valley and have such a transformational experience.

Study Hub: Academic Core Skills

Maths Workshop 1: Calculator Skills

How to utilise your scientific calculator for students from Years 7 to 10.

Date: Wednesday 10 July (Week 1) and Thursday 18 July (Week 6)
Time: 3:20 to 4:15 pm
Venue: The Centenary Library (CL110)
Presenter: Mr Murphy

RSVP via email: Kelly.Jackson@churchie.com.au

Maths Workshop 2: Study Planning

How to get the most out of Mathematics revision resources for Years 7 to 12.

Date: Wednesday 31 July (Week 4) and Thursday 8 August (Week 6)
Time: 3:20 to 4:15 pm
Venue: The Centenary Library (CL110)
Presenter: Mr Murphy

RSVP via email: Kelly.Jackson@churchie.com.au

Kelly Jackson
Senior Learning Support Coordinator

Judging team shines

During Term 2, the Churchie judging team attended the Rocklea, Esk and Caboolture agricultural shows. 

The boys participated in competitions judging meat sheep, prime beef and stud beef cattle. They were presented with a selection of four animals, which they analysed and ranked from first to fourth. If their ranking closely matched that of the overjudge, they were then selected to speak about the class for two to three minutes, explaining their choices.

James Heathwood (Year 11) and Archer James (Year 9) placed first in sheep parading and stud beef judging, respectively. Zak Williams (Year 10) and Clancy Wardle (Year 11) were also awarded place ribbons for stud beef judging.

These competitions have been in preparation for the Ekka schools competitions in August.

If any student is interested in joining the judging team for 2025, please contact Dr Lee at stephanie.lee@churchie.com.au

Stephanie Lee
Head of Agricultural Science

Year 8 Grandparents and Special Guests Lunch

Date: Monday 12 August 2024
Time: 11:45 am to 2 pm
Venue: Morris Hall

Please RSVP by Monday 5 August.

Year 8 students are welcome to invite up to two guests for this special event. We ask that only grandparents or special guests attend this sit-down lunch. It is important for parents to RSVP by Monday 5 August on behalf of their son’s guests.

Year 8 students’ guests will receive a programme before the event.

Dr Alex Krzensk
Acting Head of Senior School