When we arrived at St Mary’s, the tension was lingering in the air – Bush School had begun. We thought we knew what was in store with us for the next two weeks, but little did we know that in the days to come we would be challenged mentally, physically and emotionally.

When we arrived at Wagondrift, the weather was very cold and stayed cold for many days. Despite this, we persevered, trudging through mud and dam water. In hindsight, this experience brought us closer together as a form. We complained, motivated and cared for one another. Being around our friends helped us to reflect and laugh about the daily challenges.

A week into the camp, we were greeted by a much welcomed friend: the sun. It was time to take off our tracksuit pants and put on our shorts. What followed was the three-day journey: a day of hiking, a day of canoeing and a day of physical “torture”. We hiked across a train track and down a rock face, under barbed wire and through thorn trees. We canoed across a dam and cooked our own potatoes.

This was Bush School - two weeks of sleeping in tents, braving the cold, surviving without electronics, overcoming our fears and, most importantly, being in it together. This camp made us all realise how grateful we should be for all the things we take for granted. None of this would have been possible without our teachers: Ms Andrew, Mrs Ellis and Reverend Claudia, who were always there to give us a hug or a Corenza C.

Bush School 2016, we made it!

Isabelle Boles and Renata Mariano

Form II

Thanks are extended to Ms Mullan for organising Bush School and being the best postwoman!