The Rite Journey’s Tambellup Camp marks a pivotal milestone for our Year 9 students as they face the program’s most challenging experience: disconnecting from the familiar comforts of daily life. This unique journey encourages reflection, offering students the rare chance to truly contemplate their personal growth, life path, and future aspirations.
Monday
The adventured kicked off with lunch in Wagin. They then set up ‘home’ in the shearing shed on arrival at the farm, then went yabbying at the dam. No yabbies caught this year, despite their best efforts! Barbeque dinner was cooked and supplied by Craig Beacham (Mr. Beacham’s brother), followed by a bush dance led by Mrs Hasluck and a devotion explaining The Hero’s Journey to prepare the students for their solo experience, also known as ‘The Abyss’ in the Rite Journey.
Tuesday
The students climbed Bluff Knoll in hot 34C conditions. A vast majority of the them made it to the top. We were proud that they encouraged and supported each other throughout the hike.
Later that day, the boys set up their tents in the paddock and completed their solo under a beautiful array of stars. The girls had burgers and board games in the shed, as well as a devotion and hike debriefing with Mrs. Sykes.
Wednesday
It was a hands-on day! The students had a go at shearing, drafting (sorting the sheep), drenching (giving the sheep their medicine) and sorting fleece at a local farm. All the Year 9s had a go at all of these activities, under threat of having to fill bags of sheep manure if they didn’t want to participate! They then got to have their first and only shower for the week at the local recreation centre!
The girls did their solo that evening (cloudy with some rain for them – no stars unfortunately!), while it was the boys turn for their burgers and board games night, with Mr. Prinsloo leading devotions and speaking into the topic of manhood..
Thursday
The day was spent at Tambellup Primary School where the students did a variety of activities with the students, including pizza and cloud dough making, sport activities and line dancing. Mrs. Hasluck was brilliant at instructing excited children in the cooking and cloud dough activity. Something new this year was the bucket drumming activity led by Mrs. Sykes, which was a stand-out success. The Tambellup teachers reported the next day that many Tambellup students had exclaimed, “This is the best day ever!”.
In the evening, the Year 9s feasted on a ‘lolly salad’ before heading into the paddock and playing an epic game of Spotlight amongst the haybales, all under another beautiful night sky!
Friday
After an early start to cook breakfast for the Tambellup Primary community, they then made our way back to the College, pausing in Katanning for a well-deserved play at the all-ages playground.
We want to say a HUGE thank you to Mrs. Groom, Mrs. Hasluck, Mrs. Sykes, Mr. Vallance, Mr. Prinsloo for their dedication and support throughout the week. This unforgettable camp was a testament to the resilience and positive spirit of our students and the commitment of our dedicated staff team. This was a great opportunity for the Year 9s to discover themselves and grow through the Rite Journey program and experience.