The bus ride to Wirraway Homestead at Strathalbyn was quick, and we were welcomed by the rolling hills, countless trees and friendly staff at this rustic country campsite. We were also privileged to have Mrs Green, Mr Taylor, Pastor Jeremy and Nurse Tegan join us on the trip, and as always, the food was delicious and in abundance, and many lasting memories were made.

Activities Galore! 

The camp was full of fun activities all designed to challenge students physically and mentally. There were also opportunities for students to attempt new things and tackle some of their fears. Some of the activities included rock climbing, sheep herding, The Amazing Race, an obstacle course, archery, horse riding and bushwalking.

A Secret Spy 

One feature of the camp was the secret spy, who gave each of the dorms a daily score, depending on how tidy they were (with a penalty for the lowest score!). Many conversations took place trying to work out the identity of the spy. The rumour mill went into overdrive when scrawled across the menu board was a two line clue:

Roses are Red, Violets are Spies

Despite Violet claiming she was innocent and the camp director naming two Wirraway staff as the spies, (it seemed like a cover up!), the real identity of the spy may forever be a mystery.

The trip home was quick and many weary, but happy, students stumbled from the bus looking forward to a long hot shower and a sleep in their own beds!

A Valuable Experience 

As I returned home and reflected on the camp, I was reminded of the important part that our school camps play in helping young people to grow and develop their character. School camps have the ability to challenge each individual in ways that the normal classroom environment cannot. Camps create lasting memories that unite us as a community, and help us to learn more about others, and ourselves.

Mr Nathan Carson, Year 6 Teacher

The school-based program gives students $20 of start-up capital to create, launch and operate their own social enterprise over the course of a school term. Students learn key elements of entrepreneurship and are taught how to earn money and create social good.

Ethical Enterprise

At Cedar, our Year 9 students formed Social Enterprises, using the $20 Boss program within their Health and Wellbeing elective. During the process, students have learnt how social enterprises are formed, and created their own enterprise, giving generously to important causes from the proceeds of their business activities.

Students were immersed into the complexities of running a business, and using that business to support a great cause, over a two-week training period. The thrill of being provided with start-up capital, hones student focus like nothing else. The products and impact these students created, were inspiring. The students generated more than $1200 of profit as a class, and donated more than $1000 of that to Compassion projects, Watoto – Keep a Girl in School and the Hutt St Centre.

Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration

At Cedar we appreciate the opportunity to engage our students in innovative and entrepreneurial tasks. Our students’ creativity, critical thinking and collaboration, enabled outstanding development and achievements for these businesses. This year the students ran ice cream stalls, made culturally-themed bandanas, held a sausage sizzle, sold toasties and extra canteen treats, cleaned gum from under classroom tables and sold morning brownies and muffins.

Mr David Webb, Middle School Co-ordinator

A Work Experience placement is part of our Personal Learning Plan curriculum, but it is much more than just an aspect of their course.

Work Experience allows students to prepare for real life, through providing them with authentic opportunities to access the work environment, explore potential career choices and pathways and develop employability skills.

Prior Preparation

Prior to the Work Experience placement, all students participate in a program of workplace preparation that deals with roles, rights and responsibilities, and work health and safety, including hazard identification and risk assessment. Our Year 10s completed this training at our Work Experience Training Day on Monday, June 17, and it culminated in completion of a Passport to Safety online certificate.

Continuing Connections

In her recent performance in Community Time, musician and 2018 Cedar College graduate, Cahli Blakers, explained to the students that her Year 10 Work Experience at Northern Sound System formed the connection to the producer and recording studio that have been instrumental in her ongoing success. It was encouraging to see that her Work Experience placement back in 2016 has helped open the doors to a promising career in the music industry.

This year, Cedar College students will be completing their Work Experience at a range of sites, which include: Parliament House – Catering Division; Royal Society for the Blind; the University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus; Pet Universe; and Adelaide Paediatrics.

We wish our Year 10s all the best in their Work Experience during Week 9.

Miss Kate Adamson, High School Teacher, & Mrs Bronwen Burleigh, Pathways Co-ordinator