SACRED HEART COLLEGE 2 Cross Street, New Town Tasmania 7008 Email: admin@shc.tas.edu.au Website: www.shc.tas.edu.au Telephone (03) 6279 4090 Wednesday, 6 th June 2018 Aboriginal Cultural Camp - Uluru and Mutitjulu Community Northern Territory Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 nd July 2018 Dear Students, Parents and Guardians, Please find outlined throughout this letter, the details of the 2018 Aboriginal Culture Camp at Uluru and the Mutitjulu Aboriginal Community in the Northern Territory trip and forms for you to please complete and return to the College within the next two weeks. As discussed, the purpose of the trip is to explore aspects, and develop an understanding, of the diverse nature of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal culture across Australia, to build each student s understanding of Aboriginal culture, and to build knowledge and respect for this culture within our school setting. This will be an amazing opportunity for students and we are very excited to offer this program in the July school holidays. A student from the Mutitjulu Community attended Sacred Heart College from 2014 to 2017, which began our relationship with the Mutitjulu Community. Through this visit we aim to maintain the connection between the Mutitjulu Community in the Northern Territory and Sacred Heart College, and to foster goals of cross cultural connection and understanding. The trip will be led by Mr Matt Conolan, SHC Aboriginal Student Support Teacher and Outdoor Education Co-ordinator) and Kate Ryan, SHC Aboriginal Support Teacher, Primary. Bookings Made: Thank you for completing and returning the expression of interest form and for the initial deposit. Based on the commitment forms and this deposit we have received, and subsequent phone conversations confirming student participation, flight and accommodation bookings have now been made. Trip Dates The camp will run for 9 days during the Term 2 school holidays, from Saturday the 14 th July to Sunday the 22 nd July 2018. Please refer to the attached itinerary for more detail. Preparation meetings We will have two preparation meetings with students in the weeks leading up to the trip in which we will discuss aspects of Tasmanian and central desert Aboriginal Culture and will begin to prepare ourselves to get the most from the experience. The dates and times for these meetings will be announced within the next week. They will be conducted during school time. Cost The cost of the trip is $2200, this covers all expenses for the trip, including air fares, car hire and fuel, camping equipment hire, local Aboriginal guides, and all food and accommodation. This amount is payable in two separate amounts: - A deposit of $1000 due that was payable on Friday 18 May - The balance of $1200 which is due on Friday 22 June
Students will also need to bring $30 -$50 for food while travelling through the airports on the journey, and may like to bring some spending money ($50-$100) for souvenirs etc, but souvenir money is entirely optional. Accommodation While at Uluru we will be staying the Ayers Rock Resort campground www.ayersrockresort.com.au/accomodation/ayers-rock-campground. We will be staying in tents and using the BBQ and toilet facilities provided at the campground. For two nights we will be camping on country, in the desert with Sammy Wilson Uluru and his family this will involve bush camping. Camp amenities at this site include a simple shelter, water tank and toilet facilities. On the return journey home we will stay at Haven Backpackers in Alice Springs for our final night. Risk Assessment/ Informed Parent Consent The nature of a semi-remote trip like this takes us away from immediate emergency care however staff attending the trip are trained in wilderness first aid and we will be taking satellite phones and an emergency Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) to use in the case of an emergency. Staff to student supervision ratios and other supervisory requirements are determined in light of the age and needs of the students and nature of the activities involved. Supervising staff are able to communicate with the College throughout the excursion. A thorough risk management protocol has been developed for this trip and may be viewed by parents/guardians upon request. Whilst Sacred Heart College undertakes a documented risk assessment, risk management and contingency planning process for all off campus excursions, it is important to acknowledge that there are inherent risks associated with all off campus excursions in excess of those risks associated with normal on campus activities and programmes. The purpose of this letter is to provide sufficient information about the nature of this particular excursion to enable you to make an informed decision regarding your child s participation. Parent Consent /Updated Contact & Medical Information: As you are receiving this letter you have already signed and returned a commitment form establishing your commitment to your son/daughter attending this trip. Bookings have been made based on this written commitment, payment of the deposit and a subsequent phone conversation with parents. We now need signed consent forms for each student s participation. Please complete the attached Permission Form and the Student Contact Details/Medical Information Form and return both to the school office by this Friday 15 th June. Please ensure any medications, asthma puffers etc. are packed and are noted on the Short Term Medication Form. Any specific medications can be given to Mr Conolan prior to departure. We also require specific consent before students may participate in swimming activities (there will be swimming pools at the accommodation. Please complete the relevant section on the Permission Form. If you have any questions or would like any additional detail please feel free to contact me at any time on 6279-4090 or by email matt.conolan@shc.tas.edu.au Yours sincerely, Matt Conolan Aboriginal Student Support Teacher & Outdoor Education Co-ordinator
Itinerary Day 1 Sat 14 th July 5:30am Meet at Hobart Airport 6:30 8:20am Flight QF1582 Hobart to Sydney 9:30am 12:20pm Flight QF790 Sydney to Alice Springs 1:45 2:40pm Flight QF1941 Alice Springs - Uluru 3-4 Settle into Campsite. 4-6 Mala Walk at Uluru. 5 6pm Uluru Sunset. Sunset 6:12pm 7 9pm Back to camp - Dinner and bed. Day 2 Sun 15 th July 7 9am Wake up and breakfast 10am 12pm Tour of Mutitjulu Waterhole with Sammy Wilson. 1 5pm Lunch with Sammy and walk around the base of Uluru 5 5:30pm Drive back to campground 6 8pm Dinner at camp ground. Day 3 Mon 16 th July 8 9:30am Wake up and breakfast 9:30 10:30am Pack and get ready for the next 3 days on country 10:30 11am drive to Mutitjulu Community 11am 1pm Meet Sammy and drive with him to his country Padji Camp. 1 2pm Lunch at Padji 2 5pm Anangu Culture and stories with Sammy and Family. 5 9pm Dinner and Bed Day 4 Tues 17 th July 7-9am Wake up and breakfast 9 4 Culture Activities with Sammy and family. Making spears for boys, making bush glue for spears, hunting for grubs, making head rings for girls, cooking kangaroo on the fire. 4 9pm Free Time, Dinner and Bed Day 5 Wed 18 th July 7-9am Wake up and breakfast 9 12am Culture Activities and Stories 12pm 1pm Drive back from Padji Camp 1 5pm Lunch & Free time in Yulara swim in pool relax in town. 5 6pm Dinner at campground Day 6 Thurs 19 th July 7-9am Wake up and breakfast 10am 12pm Art Workshop at Marauku Arts 12:30 1pm Lunch at Campground. 1 5pm Free time in Yulara swim in pool relax in town. Day 7 Fri 20 th July 7-11 Breakfast Free time 11 1pm Reflection time - 2-4pm Culture Centre & National Parks Talk (3pm) Day 8 Sat 21st July 10am 4pm Drive to Alice Springs 4pm Arrive at Haven Backpackers - Free Time, Dinner and Bed Day 9 Sun 22 nd July 7 10am Wake up and breakfast and pack gear 10 10:30am Drive to car hire drop off at airport 11am Arrive at Airport & Check in 12.35pm Flight QF0797 departs Alice Springs 12.35am Arrives in Melbourne at 3.40pm 7.15pm Flight QF1017 departs Melbourne 7.20pm Arrives in Hobart at 8.35pm 8.35pm - 9pm Parents meet students at the airport
Gear & Clothing List Things to remember: The desert can get VERY cold at night so be prepared. You will not need to go and by anything special for this trip. Much of the gear required can be borrowed from the Outdoor Education equipment (let Mr Conolan know if you need to borrow anything). 1 Sports bag or backpack to carry clothes & equipment. 1 Waterproof Jacket - Gore-Tex or similar fabric needs to be of good quality not just a light spray jacket. 1 Pair of good quality comfortable walking shoes or similar (runners or light hiking shoes/boots etc ) 1 Sleeping bag It will be cold so a good quality sleeping bag rated at around 0 degrees. 1 Mug, Bowl (preferably plastic) 1 Knife, Fork, Spoon Pocket knife or similar for chopping food for cooking 3 1 litre Water bottle (screw top lid) you need the capacity to carry at least 3 litres of water It can be hot and dry in the dessert do not get dehydrated. 1 Reliable light weight head torch and spare batteries 1 Toilet paper (bring ½ a roll to safe space and water proof it) 1 Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap) 1 Sunglasses 1 Sunscreen (essential) 1 High energy snacks (if you prefer your own snacks) 1 Personal First Aid Kit 2 Thick Wool or polar fleece jumpers 1 Thin wool or polar fleece jumper or skivvy 2 Lightweight warm Long sleeved shirt 2 Board shorts &/or swimmers for swimming 1 or 2 T-shirts 2 pair Polypropylene Thermal underwear Top and bottom ESSENTIAL DO NOT BRING COTTON. The nights will be VERY cold. 1 pair Synthetic Track pants or warm pants (NO DENIM or similar) 3 pair Wool socks ESSENTIAL 1 pair Thick gloves (for cold mornings) 1 Beanie ESSENTIAL (for cold mornings) 1 Sunhat (preferably full round brim) (essential) 1 Towel The following items will be supplied by the COLLEGE: QUANTITY ITEM 2-3 Tent person 1 Sleeping mat Note Many of the specific outdoor clothing and gear mentioned above can be borrowed from the OED equipment make sure you let Mr Conolan know before the end of the term if you want to borrow anything.
Permission Form Aboriginal Cultural Camp - Uluru and Mutitjulu Community Northern Territory July 2018 PLEASE RETURN THIS PERMISSION SLIP TO MR CONOLAN or the front office by Friday the 15th of June 2018. In respect of the trip to Alice Springs, Uluru and the Mutitjulu Community, Northern Territory from Saturday the 14 th July to Sunday the 22 nd July 2018 as detailed overleaf, I, (Name of Parent / Guardian) as the parent / guardian of (Name of Student)Give my: 1. Permission for my child named above to attend the excursion, 2. Consent for my child to travel on or in any form of public or private transport where such transport is deemed by the College to be necessary or desirable for the safe conduct of the excursion, 3. Consent for my child to participate in all activities and functions arranged as part of this excursion, 4. Consent for the College, by its servants or agents: To seek such medical or dental advice on behalf of my child as seen fit in the event of accident or illness, and If, in the opinion of an attending medical or dental practitioner or medical officer ( health practitioner ) my child requires medical or dental attention or treatment (including but not limited to the administration of anaesthetic, blood transfusion or the performance of any surgical operation), to that health practitioner giving such attention or treatment provided that reasonable efforts are made to inform me of any serious injury or illness, 5. Certification that the consent which I have given in paragraph 4 is valid at all times while my child is in the custody of the College while attending or participating in the excursion, 6. Certification that I understand that the College will take reasonable care in the event of my child suffering accident or illness but that it will not be responsible for the costs of any medical or dental attention or treatment administered to my child in such event nor will it be directly responsible for any act or omission of any health practitioner attending or treating my child, 7. Agreement that the College is not liable if any of my child s possessions or property is damaged, lost or stolen during this excursion, 8. Agreement for my child to undertake all activities and use all equipment and materials detailed, being aware of the hazards and risks that may be involved including but not limited to slips, trips, stumbles, falls, cuts, abrasions, lacerations, sprains, strains, fractures, burns, traffic and vehicular accidents, insect, animal and snake bites and drowning. 9. Certification that it is my responsibility to provide updated medical information in writing to the College Office in addition to any information provided below. I understand that my child needs to behave appropriately at all times whilst on this trip. I understand that by signing this form I am committing to paying the full amount of $2200 by Friday 22 June. (continued overleaf)
Please indicate your child s swimming ability: Specific Consent to Take Part in Aquatic Activities Swimming Ability: (please tick one only as it applies to your son/daughter) Non-Swimmer Weak Swimmer Intermediate Advanced - high level of supervision required - high level of supervision required - Medium level of supervision required (able to swim up to 50 m unaided) - Comfortable in deep water - Low level of supervision (able to swim beyond 50 metres) - Very comfortable in deep water Consent: I give permission for my son/daughter to participate in aquatic activities on camp I do not give permission for my child to participate in aquatic activities on camp Parent Name: Signature: Contact No: Email: Student Signature: