YEAR 7 CAMP Sydney-Canberra Trip Build Independence & friendships Democracy / Civics & Citezenship Australia history, art, monumens & artefacts F un & adventure LEARNING TODAY, CREATING TOMORROW PARENT INFORMATION GUIDE OVERVIEW OF CAMP OBJECTIVES, ATTRAC- TIONS, COSTS AND TIMELINES* *DUE TO THE NATURE OF BOOKING ACTIVITIES AND VENUES, SUPPLIER DEPOSITS AND PROVIDING NOTICE TO PARENTS - THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IS AS UP TO DATE AND ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATTION AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ITEMS MARKED WITH * ARE TO BE CONFIRMED.
YEAR 7 CAMP Features Coach pick up from MSC Flights from BNE-SYD* 5 Day Coach Travel Taronga Zoo* Sydnet Ferry* Opera House & Circular Quay* Parliament House QUESTACON CSIRO National Gallery & Museum Aus. War Memorial More!... TRAVEL & TRANSPORT 05 KEY ATTRACTIONS & SIGHTS 15 04 ACCOMODATION MEALS & CONTACT 06 COST, TIME-LINES & SAMPLE ITINERARY
YEAR 7 CAMP Introduction A rich layered experience tailored for our young adolescents as they begin their secondary journey. A wonderful opportunity for learning today for your child, that will help create tomorrow in Meridan Plains and beyond. 1 Social and Personal Development. The year 7 camp is often the longest time students are away from their parents to date, for many it is also the first time the fiy in a plane. Going on a longer trip, further away, such as this provides an authentic opportunity to grow independence, resilience and develop deeper relationships with class peers they will spend time with throughout Junior Secondary. 2 Real authentic curriculum experiences to strengthen school programs. The two primary curriculum program focuses on the camp are centered around Australian Democracy and Indigenous History. The activities are embedded in the Civics and Citizenship and A night at the Museum units that form key parts of the Year 7 Curriculum Program. 3 Fun, excitement and adventure. I really enjoyed going on this camp with our wonderful young people in year 7 (and their committed teachers). I eagerly look forward to the next trip with this cohort. The trip allows students to spend quality time with each other, but also different levels of school staff, that builds a better understanding of each individual and each other. A lot of fun and excitement is had along the way!!!
04 TRANSPORT DAY 1 - PICK UP MSC - COACH TRANS- FER TO BNE AIRPORT FLY VIRGIN OR QANTAS TO SYDNEY* COACH TRANSFERS FOR NEXT 5 DAYS INCLUDING SYDNEY TO CANBERRA BANKSTOWN COACHES PROVIDE TRANSPORT AROUND CANBERRA AND RETURN US TO SYDNEY FLY BACK TO BRISBANE WITH VIRGIN OR QANTAS COACH TRANSFER BACK FROM BNE AIRPORT TO MSC - LATE AFTERNOON DAY 6. Fly both ways Virgin Qantas One signigicant walk in Canberra - Lake and ANZACParade Depart and Return Meridan State College Bankstown Coaches main transport Sydney & Canberra*
05 Accommodation Capital Country Capital Country is situated in Sutton NSW - about 20 minute drive / 15 km from Canberra CBD. Students will be accommodated in Self Contained Cabins and Dorms in groups of 6-15. Class teachers will lead a process of nominating and sorting out cabin groups early in term 2. Students are not allowed to bring a mobile phone, but can use one of two school phones if they want to contact home. Similarly parents can contact students via the two school mobile phones.
Parliament House A highlight of our visit to Canberra is Parliament House. Students participate in a guided tour that includes a visit to the two chambers - The Senate and The House of Representatives. We also see the Magna Carta displays and artifacts from Australia's previous prime ministers. There is often a chance for a role play around introducing a new bill into the house of "reps" and a chance to meet our local federal member. If parliament is in session whilst we are there, students will also have a chance to see it in action and in 2015 we saw all key politicians of the time.
Australian War Memorial The visit to the Australian War Memorial is both emotional and packed with learning opportunities. Information and history is presented by AWM staff, and there are various galleries and learning areas that include displays, artifacts and fantastic multi media presentations. We finish the day by participating in the Last Post Ceremony that parents can watch on a live stream at home. Live Last Post Ceremony Stream
Museum of Australian Democracy The visit to Old Parliament House (Museum of Australian Democracy) focuses on the history of democracy in Australia. The visit includes a role play in the original House of Representatives and a hands on interactive scavenger hunt focused on significant democracy history artefacts. The learning activities here and at the current Parliament House are significant components of our school Civics and Citizenship unit.
CSIRO The CSIRO Discovery Centre offers an interactive journey through CSIRO and Australian science history. It is one of Canberra's major attractions and is definitely worth adding to your list of things to do when you visit the city. The attraction presents science in an entertaining way to demystify it, and educate kids and adults of all ages about the fascinating world of research and innovation. Read More...
Royal Australian Mint The passing of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act empowered the Government to make laws with respect to currency, coinage and legal tender. The Coinage Act 1909 put in place the first steps for an Australian coinage. Thus began the journey towards a mint owned by the Commonwealth and independence from the branches of the Royal Mint. Read More...
National Science & Technology Centre - Questacon Questacon is The National Science and Technology Centre and its programs are administered within the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. The centre aims to promote greater understanding and awareness of science and technology within the community. The experiences at the center are extremely fun, interactive, and relevant. Students love the Free Fall (and souvenir shop) in particular.
Taronga Z00* There s always plenty happening at Taronga Zoo. With over 4,000 animals to see, over 20 keeper talks and shows a day, tours, events & concerts. We aim to spend half a day at the zoo, as class groups work their way from the top entry thorugh the various exibitions and trails to the bottom of the park - where we aim to jump on the ferry to Circulary Quay. This is another highlight for students on our trip and we are excited to bring this back into the program based on feedback from the 2016 camp.
National Museum The National Museum of Australia is a social history museum. Whilst at the museum students explore the land, nation and people of Australia. We focus on Indigenous histories and cultures, histories of European settlement and our interaction with the environment. This visits plays a vital part in the School "A Night at the Musuem" - Indiginous Artefacts curriculum unit. Students identify a specific artefacts, research it and take pictures.
National Gallery The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) is the national cultural institution for the visual arts. The NGA delivers a national collection of works of art and often includes temporary displays of gloabally significant art pieces. All students are inspired and intrigued by a lot of the modern art on display, but the more discerning "Art Students" can be blown away by the opportunity to see works of the calibre by the likes of Monet (2016).
Sample Itinerary Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Breakfast MSC-BNE-SYD Breakfast Dawn Walk - Breakfast Breakfast Dawn Walk - Breakfast Breakfast AM Taronga Zoo Lunch at Circular Quay Parliament House & Lunch in Parliament Gardens Democracy Museum of Australia National Gallery Royal Australian Mint Pack up and Wrapup Lunch Opera House Lunch @ Museum PM Bus to Canberra National Museum Anzac Parade and Lake Burleigh Walk Lunch Mt Ainslie Lunch - Arboretum Australian War Memorial and Last Post Ceremony CSIRO TBC Bus to Sydney Fly SYD - BNE Dinner Dinner @ Roadhouse Dinner Capital Country Dinner Capital Country Dinner Capital Country Dinner Capital Country Arrive MSC Post Dinner Arrive Capital Country Meridan has Talent Questacon Great Aussie Quiz So You Think You can Dance Students debrief with parents :-)
YEAR 7 CAMP Flights Return flights form BNE to SYD with Virgin or Qantas. Coach Transfers Students will be transported to and from MSC to BNE Airport and picked up from and returned to Sydney airport (5 days) for Canberra Tour. Admissions Entry fees to venues visited (Mint, AIS, Questacon, CSIRO...) What is Included in Camp Cost? $950 Meals* All meals at Capital Country Holiday Park, in Canberra and Sydney are provided. Students need to buy their own dinner on route to Canberra on day 1 Accommodation Self-contained cabins and dorms at Capital Country Holiday Park Sutton NSW Guided Tours Several major attractions in Canberra include guided tours and/or participation in education programs.
YEAR 7 CAMP Souvenirs Serious business for some students on camp - visiting the souvenir shops at the attractions we visit. QUESTACON!!! Gifts for Family As above - always great to see students excited about presents they might buy for siblings and parents. Additional Snacks Some students wish to purchase extra snacks at airports and souvenir outlets. What is NOT Included in camp cost? Meal on route to Canberra Students are asked to buy their dinner at a Roadhouse on route between Sydney and Canberra on the first night.. How Much $$? This is a family decision. We recommend between $30 and $70.
YEAR 7 CAMP Forms & Payment 1 Installments 1st instalment $200.00 by Wednesday 22 November 2017 2nd instalment $200.00 by Wednesday 24 January 2018 3rd instalment $200.00 by Wednesday 21 February 2018 4th instalment $200.00 by Wednesday 21 March 2018 Final Payment $150.00 by Wednesday 18 April 2018 PARTIAL REFUNDS ONLY WILL BE GRANTED AFTER FRIDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2017 AS AFTER THIS DATE THE COLLEGE WILL HAVE PAID FOR (OR BE COMMITTED TO) YOUR CHILD S INCLUSION (eg. non-refundable fligjt tickets). 2 3 Expression of Interest A seperate email will be sent in October to confirm intial intention - RSVP Inention Survey on-line Yes or No. Intention Survey starts account and invoices. Allows us to get accurate quotes and then confirm and cross check bookings and deposits. Post-October additions or changes to intial intent survey to contact Brandie Clucas (bcluc1@eq.edu.au Letters and Forms You will receive 2-3 more letters with updates in the lead up to camp (groups, what to bring...) - via email. Please ensure your Facebook media permissions are up to date :-) - Permission form return to admin@meridansc. eq.edu.au.
YEAR 7 CAMP Key Contacts Brandie Clucas Head of Department Junior Secondary bcluc1@eq.edu.au - Special needs and considerations (social, emotional, dietary, medical, birthdays...) Accounts Department MSC accountsreceivable@ meridansc.eq.edu.au - Forms - Payments - Copies of Letters - Imvoices and Updates Mark Seijbel Deputy Principal Junior Secondary mseij1@eq.edu.au - General Information - Itinerary Variations - Payment Considerations