The Coorong

I was fortunate recently to visit the Coorong with my year 8 class for our camp. We spent 5 days between the Coorong and Hindmarsh Island in South Australia. I had a great time this year on camp, which was nice. For one thing, I didn't break down on the last day when I met up with the other teachers (Last year was emotionally tough with some very negative and spiteful kids in my class). I was excited to tell the other year 8 teachers how much fun I'd had with my class. Furthermore, I actually got to have showers on this camp!!

This camp was a real treat. Between kayaking, sailing, surfing and windsurfing we experienced the magic that the Coorong environment had to offer. It was very moving to be in such a gorgeous place, and one so fundamental to Australia. The Coorong is a system of lakes, rivers and wetlands that connect to the Great Southern Ocean from the Murray River (Australia's most important river). Due to the blatant overuse of Murray water in other states, combined with drought, the situation in South Australia is heartbreaking. Whilst I've been aware of the issue, it wasn't until I spent time at the heart of this amazing ecosystem that I felt so connected to it.

We spend time with the students educating them about the Coorong and its functions, and encourage them to be mindful of the environment. The students were so respectful and often moved by what they experienced. One thing that saddened myself and many students were the hundreds of dead crabs floating in the Coorong. Barnacles form on their shells due to the salinity levels and they die slowly and painfully! Despite some of the obvious problems with the environment we were blessed to witness a seal eating his dinner right along the bank of the Coorong where we camped. The seal popped up and started whacking a fish about, then gulped it down. The following day as we sailed along the river in perfect conditions we were followed by 2 dolphins who put on a bit of a jumping and chasing show for us. The joy of sailing combined with witnessing these gorgeous creatures in their natural environement was exhilarating.
I've told Peter that I want to take up sailing (when we someday can afford a sailboat :-)

If you ever come to South Australia I would highly recommend a visit to the Coorong! I definitely want to get back there soon.

He's a bit hard to see, but that's the visiting seal!

my class rafted up.

One of the students in action

Looking fat, dorky but happy on the sailboat

The spare sailor got to sit on the bow. It was great fun!

I thought this was supposed to be a silly photo girls!

I let the students take the camera up to the sand dunes and they took some awesome pictures

My fav shot of camp. The students were proud they took these shots.

Beach at Goolwa for swimming and cockling.

Getting ready to eat them. Didn't like them raw, but cooked with a bit
of garlic and parsley they were delish!

Class 8MW - Last day of camp

Stacks on!!

Year 9 Camp

I was finally able to upload photos from the year 9 camp to my laptop. I have some gorgeous shots from Mount Crawford. Although Adelaide scenery pales in comparison to Tassie, I have gained a lot of respect for the land here, and do love being in the Riverland especially. There are so many learning opportunities on the land. Opportunities that students will never get in the classroom. I guess that's why we do such intense camps at Pulteney. Despite having a very tough time this year, I am grateful that reflecting on the experience has made me want to embrace it all again next year. I just wish I could do this camp without 23 teenagers!!! :-)

We kayak along the Murray River for 2 days covering about 18 kms. I love the scenery, but am not so keen on kayaking all day.

Our camping spot at Ngaut Ngaut

Me and the boys - the intense riding group. Mountain biking is my personal highlight at camp.

Getting our bearings

A curious visitor

Taking a break

Gone camping

Hi all.

Tomorrow morning I head off to the Mount Crawford area with my Year 9 class. Each year Year 9 Home Group teachers go camping with their classes for 5 days. When I say camping, I mean REAL camping. It's 5 days expedition style, with kids packing and carrying everything in rucksacks, cooking food on a Trangia, and all that goes with it. Last year I was really apprehensive about camp but ended up having a fantastic time. 5 days is a long time to spend purely with 23 year 9's and 1 or 2 instructors (a company called Wilderness Escape run our camps for us) but the experience is pretty awesome. I fell in love with Mountain biking and loved all the down hill trails. I was right into it. We do 3 activities; Bushwalking, Mountain biking and Kayaking. We Kayak along the Murray, visit a very old Aboriginal sight called ngaut ngaut (pronounced naught naught) and end up in Mannum I think.
I've included a pretty awful photo. It's about 10pm here and Pete took this photo of me trying out my rucksack.
I'm praying the weather is good for us! Please spare me a thought when you wake up in the morning and have a lovely hot shower, and when you snuggle up in your beds at night!
xo

YW Camp

Me and Pete just got back from camping at Rapid Bay with a bunch
of teenage girls! I had to go as I'm a YW leader, but Pete was invited along too.
We put him to work though and had him teach them to tie different types of knots,
and I taught the girls some first aid.
I only took a few photos, so will post more once I steal some off the girls!