Compulsory homework, mobile phones and shared electronic devices! These were three of the topics covered during a mock council meeting with Buloke Shire Mayor, Cr Stewart, during the Leadership Camp!
Grade 5 & 6 students form St Mary’s School, Donald, enjoyed a Leadership Camp at Camp Seed in Stuart Mill last Thursday and Friday. The aim of the experience was for students to reflect on their current skills and actions and to provide new ideas and skills, challenging students to move forward as leaders within their school and the greater community.
Janine Batters form ‘Janine’s Fitness’ in St Arnaud commenced the day with a fantastic session combining yoga, Pilates and relaxation! Students learnt the importance of engaging their core for strength and stability. Relaxing the mind with a meditation of the senses set the students up to embrace the day ahead.
After morning tea, students explored the differences between being a leader, a helper or a boss. Mrs Hogan then facilitated a session on responsibility, with the outcomes being we are accountable for ourselves, as a group member and for our belongings! Playing ‘The Blame Game’ provided some humorous excuses for being irresponsible and students learnt that being responsible is not always easy – but it does allow you to stand tall at the end of the day!
Buloke Shire Mayor, Cr Stewart, spoke to the students about her growth as a leader and of her role as mayor of our local shire. Students had many questions and were enthused to participate in a mock council meeting. Detention on Saturdays for incomplete homework and shredded mobile phones if brought to school were some drastic measures decided by the local constituents; luckily, the meeting was only pretend! Students gained a much better understanding of the Buloke Shire and how it is managed through local council members and the role of the shire mayor.
A bush walk in the glorious afternoon sun, with an impromptu rendition of ‘Home Among the Gum Trees’ by some enthusiastic walkers, led us back to camp for afternoon tea. A final session before tea focused on organisation. Students drew caricatures of organised and disorganised people and agreed life can feel chaotic without some form of organisation. Making time, planning ahead and thinking about what needs to be done in advance were three main themes which kept coming up. Students completed this session by creating a weekly planner, detailing their school work, home jobs, hobbies and sport commitments.
A delicious camp oven tea was enjoyed by all and the chance to toast some marshmallows was also a treat. Some team building games and activities concluded with a straw tower building competition.
On Friday morning, after a breakfast of bacon and eggs, students headed back to St Arnaud to join the rest of their school mates to celebrate the beginning of Catholic Education Week with cluster schools, St Patrick’s St Arnaud and St Joseph’s Charlton. A shared Mass celebrating the theme ‘Listen With the Ear of Your Heart’ was followed by a day of shared fun and activities. Students participated in a Bluearth session and watched an entertaining science show about air and electricity.
Grade 5 & 6 students form St Mary’s School, Donald, enjoyed a Leadership Camp at Camp Seed in Stuart Mill last Thursday and Friday. The aim of the experience was for students to reflect on their current skills and actions and to provide new ideas and skills, challenging students to move forward as leaders within their school and the greater community.
Janine Batters form ‘Janine’s Fitness’ in St Arnaud commenced the day with a fantastic session combining yoga, Pilates and relaxation! Students learnt the importance of engaging their core for strength and stability. Relaxing the mind with a meditation of the senses set the students up to embrace the day ahead.
After morning tea, students explored the differences between being a leader, a helper or a boss. Mrs Hogan then facilitated a session on responsibility, with the outcomes being we are accountable for ourselves, as a group member and for our belongings! Playing ‘The Blame Game’ provided some humorous excuses for being irresponsible and students learnt that being responsible is not always easy – but it does allow you to stand tall at the end of the day!
Buloke Shire Mayor, Cr Stewart, spoke to the students about her growth as a leader and of her role as mayor of our local shire. Students had many questions and were enthused to participate in a mock council meeting. Detention on Saturdays for incomplete homework and shredded mobile phones if brought to school were some drastic measures decided by the local constituents; luckily, the meeting was only pretend! Students gained a much better understanding of the Buloke Shire and how it is managed through local council members and the role of the shire mayor.
A bush walk in the glorious afternoon sun, with an impromptu rendition of ‘Home Among the Gum Trees’ by some enthusiastic walkers, led us back to camp for afternoon tea. A final session before tea focused on organisation. Students drew caricatures of organised and disorganised people and agreed life can feel chaotic without some form of organisation. Making time, planning ahead and thinking about what needs to be done in advance were three main themes which kept coming up. Students completed this session by creating a weekly planner, detailing their school work, home jobs, hobbies and sport commitments.
A delicious camp oven tea was enjoyed by all and the chance to toast some marshmallows was also a treat. Some team building games and activities concluded with a straw tower building competition.
On Friday morning, after a breakfast of bacon and eggs, students headed back to St Arnaud to join the rest of their school mates to celebrate the beginning of Catholic Education Week with cluster schools, St Patrick’s St Arnaud and St Joseph’s Charlton. A shared Mass celebrating the theme ‘Listen With the Ear of Your Heart’ was followed by a day of shared fun and activities. Students participated in a Bluearth session and watched an entertaining science show about air and electricity.
