Last Wednesday 41 Year 12 students and 5 staff headed off to the Wagga region for a 3-day excursion encompassing a variety of team building and career-based activities. The excursion was a Plan B event given that the usual week long trip to Sydney was cancelled due to COVID-19 risks.

The students embraced the chance to get away, relax and spend some time together in their final year of school and are to be complimented on their overall behavior, respectfulness, and enthusiasm. Here is a report on the trip…

Day 1

We arrived at the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory to load up with plenty of sugar for the day ahead. The students also learned about the business from employee, Reanna, who spoke about marketing, sales, sourcing raw ingredients during COVID, supply chains, niche markets and more.

With a packed lunch ready to go, the team headed to the Wagga Tourist Information Centre to meet Uncle James Ingram, a Wiradjuri elder, who took us on a cultural tour of the Murrumbidgee River and Wollundry Lagoon. The weather was perfect for the informative walk, taking in the history of the Aboriginal peoples who once lived along the banks, fishing and weaving baskets as well as looking closely at the murals and art work that commemorate their presence.

   

 In the afternoon we divided into groups to tour the local TAFE Campuses and hear about the courses on offer. At the Macleay St Campus Group 1 got to see some amazing facilities in hair and beauty, childcare, construction, plumbing, commercial cookery as well as learning about diplomas, certificates, and different entry requirements.

Group 2 headed to the TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre (PIC) to explore agricultural courses including heavy diesel mechanics, wool classing, horticulture, and animal studies.

After a long day of learning it was time for a bit of fun and relaxation at the Wagga Ten Pin bowling alley – students got to test their skills and talents and styles, but it must be said that the side gutters saw plenty of action and there may be a few dents in the floor! Winner on the day was Rebecca Cook.

We could not go to Wagga without a team photo at dusk along the banks of the famous Murrumbidgee before then dining at the RSL and heading to our accommodation at Borambola just outside of Wagga.

Day 2 was at Borambola with our instructors, Jacq and Ollie and there we participated in a series of fun challenges and team building activities based around the TV show, Survivor. There was plenty of team work, head scratching, frustration and maybe a bit of cheating, as the teams battled it out over 2 hours, complete with their colour coded bandanas worn in various locations!

In the afternoon things got messy during the Borambola mud run with several students really surprising themselves by going ‘all out’ through the obstacle course. Mr Chifley’s staff team, named ‘Team Friendship’ were amongst the dirtiest  - and silliest!

After a hose off and shower, it was time for archery where a few arrows failed to make the target but a few more were very close to a bullseye. Apparently, the latest dress code for archery is an Oodie!

The Chain Reaction event saw teams try and replicate the Rube Goldberg method. There were some dismal domino fails and some impressive train track successes from our budding scientists and engineers!

In the evening, the stakes were high in the ‘Minute to Win It’ challenges with the staff in ‘Team Friendship’ off to an early lead only to fall away in the final challenges. The dress code for that event was also an oodie (or fish flaps if your name is Jono) and the winning team was – the Oodies!!!

On day 3 we packed our gear and headed to Charles Sturt Uni with a campus tour with Kristen and Michael, followed by lunch and two short lectures about study skills and early entry. It is encouraging to see so many students now keen to take up the opportunity to apply to Uni early and receive a possible offer in June!

Whilst most of the group were walking around CSU Wagga Campus, Imogen, Ailish and Kyle chose to head to the University of NSW Rural Medical School where they got to hear firsthand about rural medicine and entry opportunities. Professor Tara Mackenzie, Associate Dean of Rural Health in the Riverina, and Associate Professor Rashid Hashmi, the Director of Medical Education, took time out of their busy schedules to speak one on one with the students about securing a place at the Wagga Base Hospital training facility. We also heard from first year medical student, Charlotte Barker, who spoke about the UCAT exam and her experiences in her first year of medicine. After that, it was a visit to the Anatomy room where students used amazing technology to look at the body in depth and then a hands-on session at the Clinical Skills and Simulation Lab with Educator Michael Maw. What an amazing opportunity for these 3 students!

We express our sincere thanks to all those organizations, businesses and individuals who made time to meet with our Year 12 students and create a memorable and rewarding experience for all of them. The staff also had a great time being part of the fun and laughter.

Mrs Parkman

Careers Adviser