An integral aspect of student life at Girton Grammar School, is the compulsory Camps Program that runs across both Junior and Senior Schools. Beginning in Preparatory and culminating in Year 12, each camp provides students with a wide range of experiences, varying in length, destinations within Victoria and challenges to the participants.
Students are also provided with a wide variety of choices to further their initiative, leadership and self- discipline, whilst allowing for specific life skills/general interests to be nurtured. Senior School students are given the opportunity to become involved in Overseas Student Exchanges, World Challenge Expeditions, Space Camp USA, International Music and Language Tours, or closer to home activities such as, Horse Riding, Snow Camps (Mittagundi), Art/Drama Camps, Vocational Training or to act as Student Camp Leaders for younger age groups.
Junior School
Preparatory: Extended Stay In Term Four Preparatory students will participate in an extended stay at school as an introduction to the School’s Camps Program. The students will visit various local attractions around Bendigo as part of this experience. This is a great opportunity for Preparatory students to experience some independence without the worry of staying away from their parents overnight
Year 1: Over Night Stay The Year One Camp is an overnight stay at the Science and Discovery Centre in Bendigo. Exploring opportunities that tie into their curriculum, our year one students learn of space and money to prepare them for opportunities such as purchasing lunch by themselves and experiencing the planetarium. Year one camp is a great stepping stone for our students towards independence.
Year 2: Camp Kookaburra This is the students’ first taste of camping in the great outdoors. Camp Kookaburra is a school camp set in 60 hectares of rural bushland near Corop, in Central Victoria, between Bendigo and Echuca. Students participate in abseiling, archery, a low ropes course, canoeing, indoor climbing and orienteering.
Year 3: Camp Sunnystones Year 3 Students will participate in a three day camp at Sunnystones. This is a fifty acre property that backs onto the state forest giving students the opportunity to experience activities like a ropes course, orienteering, possum spotting and bushwalking. At this age, students are beginning to truly understand what it means to be a friend. This camp gives them an opportunity to broaden friendship groups and build team skills.
Year 4: Log Cabin Camp Year 4 students experience a Log Cabin Camp with the aim to promote peer friendships, personal skills and enhance our students understanding of their natural surroundings. Experiencing fun outdoor activities, Girton’s year 4 camp is a great way for our students to develop friendships with staff and students alike.
Year 5: Campaspe Downs Year 5 students will participate in a four-day camp at Campaspe Downs Camp, an accredited facility registered with the Australian Camps Association. Located just outside Kyneton, Campaspe Downs Camp focuses on developing students love for the outdoors and for nature, with excellent facilities and a variety of outdoor experiences for students. This camp is aimed at continuing to build on appreciation of agricultural and environmental sustainability.
Year 6: Canberra Year 6 Camp is held in Canberra. Traditionally, this takes place in the last week of Term One. This camp links with our curriculum theme of Australian Government. Students get the opportunity to visit Parliament House, Old Parliament House, the Australian Institute of Sport, the Australian War Memorial, the National Museum of Australia and Questacon.
Senior School
Year 7: Camp Howqua The Camp is very comfortable and set in a beautiful tree-lined valley. The area is also rich in educational resources which will ensure a most worthwhile experience for all students. The students will be fully occupied during the five days with activities such as bushwalking, cycling, orienteering, horse riding and much more.
Year 8: Stringybark Lodge Camp All Year 8 students will participate in an expedition into the Gilwell Park and Kurth Kiln area. This is a compulsory part of the mandated curriculum for Year 8. The Year 8 program is about “Stepping outside the Comfort Zone”. Goals of the hike are to enhance the ability to meet positively the physical and mental challenges; leadership skills; team work skills and an understanding and appreciation of the natural environment. Students camp in tents and do return hikes each day to different locations.
Year 9: Urban Camp The City of Melbourne becomes the classroom for the Year 9 Urban Camp. Students select a number activities to suit their interests, including; City Challenge “Amazing Race”, exploring different faiths by visiting places of worship, an arts experience involving performances, exhibitions, workshops and tours and visiting the Western Treatment Plant to apply and build Science knowledge. This allows Year 9 students to test their understanding of their place in the world by embracing new and real life experiences.
Year 10 and 11: Opportunities “Camps Week”, conducted in the last week of Term One, allows all Year 10 and Year 11 students to select from a wide range of age relevant activities and opportunities. Students are encouraged to undertake experiences that test their leadership skills and develop a sense of community spirit, under the guises of many different contexts. Students may put themselves forward for a number of opportunities from work experience, to student camp leader to specialized school based activities.
Year 12: VCE Conference, Melbourne VCE Conference gives our year 12 students a taste of university life. Exploring different university campus’ with an overnight stay at University College in Melbourne. It’s a great chance for our VCE students to hear about university pathways from students alongside celebrate as their final year of schooling begins.
ELECTIVE CAMPS
Girton Grammar students have the opportunity to put themselves forward for a number of elective camps throughout their school journey.
World Challenge
A chance for students to embark on challenging 28 day expeditions to one of 40 destinations around the world. Students achieve personal and team goals to develop valuable skills for later life such as teamwork, leadership, problem solving and communications. It truly is a life-changing experience.
Space Camp
The space camp is an exploration of Science and Technology, designed for students aged 15 – 18 with a strong interest in Science and Technology. The trip involves touring and working in NASA Space facilities and is a great opportunity for students who may wish to pursue a career in Science, Engineering etc.
Mittagundi
During second term vacation, volunteer Year 10 and 11 students will participate in the Mittagundi Cross Country Skiing experience. At camp students will ski into the Bogong National Park and spend several days in this superb area. A highlight of the experience will be sleeping in a remote mountain hut. Mittagundi is a most exciting and rewarding experience.
New Zealand
Students in Years 8 to 12 have the opportunity to spend a week in New Zealand at the conclusion of the Girton academic year, exploring the incredible natural beauty of this island nation. The trip is designed to spark an appreciation of ancient cultures, to protect the natural wonders of their world, and fuel a passion for learning. Students will explore the diverse environments only available in New Zealand’s thermal, glacial and temperate rainforest regions as well as gain an appreciation for the historical significance of Cook’s exploration in the region, and the impact of colonial settlement on Maori culture.
French Tour
The trip to France is organised by the School every two years and is a wonderful way to put into practice what has been learnt in class, learn about French history and culture, improve the students’ oral skills and make French friends for life! Students in Years 9 to 11 travel to France and spend the first night in Paris, visit Notre Dame and the wonderful Chateau de Chambord en route to Lucon. Students stay with their host families and attend classes in our sister school in Saint Ursule. The students visit the towns of Angers and La Rochelle as well as the historical Theme Park Le Puy du Fou in Vendée. On the return trip to Paris, the students visit the fabulous cathedral of Chartres. The last two days of the trip are spent in Paris, visiting The Louvres Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and the magnificent Chateau de Versailles.
Japanese Tour
Students also have the opportunity to visit Japan every second year (every year if there is a demand) for two weeks during the September-October Holidays. The first week is spent sightseeing around Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima. The second week is spent at Girton’s sister school, Gojo Senior High School. The students are able to experience Japanese culture and language first hand and experience the Japanese way of life through spending a week living with a Japanese family.