Year 9 Canberra/Snowy Excursion
Year 9 Snow Diary
Sunday – Questacon
It was an unusual sight Sunday morning, with 80 teenagers willingly walking in the school gates; there was energy and excitement as students prepared for their long drive to Canberra, with parents remaining back to wave the buses away. Arriving into the nation’s capital our bus drivers gave us a running commentary of the buildings we passed, but the highlight of the night was Questacon. Our school had private access to the centre that night, and spent a couple of hours working through the different exhibits and the science behind them. It was a big day, and sleep was well earned.
Monday – Old Parliament House, Parliament House and Australian War Memorial
Students became tourists today and through the day, were able to get to know a bit more about our country’s political and historic institutions. The day began with a tour through the international embassies and students were engaged by the architecture they saw, and the high levels of security (some of which were happy to accommodate us with a wave as we drove past).
Heading into the Australian Museum of Democracy, better known as Old Parliament House, students were invited to put on white gloves as we explored the building and some of its relics. The tour culminated with two mock debates; one held in the Senate and the other the House of Representatives. Moving across the lawn into Parliament House, students were taken on a tour of the building, and met by a representative of the office of our local member, Dr David Gillespie. The students seemed most fascinated viewing the portraits of our former Prime Ministers, and standing in front of Sir Robert Menzies, our tour guide noted that the bigger the eye brows, the longer the term in office!
The group represented the school well, and in each location demonstrated respectful behaviours, interest in what presenters would say to them and a willingness to engage with the experiences.
The day ended in Cooma, with the hiring of our ski equipment. I’m quite sure that after this week, ski pants are going to be this group’s favourite fashion statement.
Tuesday – Learning to Ski
Driving into the snowfields, we were met with chilly temperatures and falling snow and, as it turns out, a new appreciation of the difficulty in putting snow chains on bus tyres! The first day of skiing was great, and in small groups students met with their instructors who got the students sliding around quickly, with varying degrees of confidence. The second part of the day left students to continue to practise their new skills, while others built snow men and threw snow balls. Hot chocolates also featured heavily in the afternoon!
Wednesday – Blizzard
The snow from Tuesday developed into a blizzard on Wednesday. To say it was cold was an understatement. The students got through their lesson in some of the most challenging weather of the season. The day finished earlier than previous, as students were given time for souvenir shopping in Jindabyne. The night concluded with students enjoying community with each other in the lounge, playing pool, listening to music and sharing stories of their feats on the mountain.
Thursday – Perfect Weather
The week concluded with a perfect day, in contrast to the previous day, it was t-shirt weather underneath the snow jackets. The day allowed students to complete their third skiing lesson and hit the slopes with some confidence, with many of our students mastering the green runs and moving onto the blue hills. By the end of such a big week, it was an early night for all!
Overall, the trip led the group to get to know each other better and to move us closer together as a community. Thanks to all staff involved, Matt Hanlon, Todd Curtis, Rebecca Huett, Marianne O’Donnell, Sandra Basile, Laurent Gonfond, and especially to Mr Phill Carney, who dedicated months to organising the excursion and making it the fantastic week that it was. Thanks too to parents for allowing us to spend a week with their sons and daughters. We’re all most thankful that no one came home with any broken bones this year!
Tim Masters
Year 9 Student Coordinator
