Across eight year groups, students of The Armidale School were far and wide last week engaging in physical, cultural and historic experiences as part of annual Excursion Week.
Years 3 and 4 took part in archery, canoeing, damper making and rope activities at Lake Keepit Sport and Recreation Centre, where they also learnt personal and domestic skills from spending days living together.
Years 5 and 7 were also by the water – Year 5 at Myuna Bay, where similar activities were undertaken with bravery and gusto, and Year 7 at the Exodus Outdoor Adventure Centre at Buccarumbi, on the Nymboida River.
Meanwhile Years 6 and 8 were in Sydney. The younger boys were guests of Mosman Preparatory School, where they were billeted with families enabling them to experience city life first hand. A harbour cruise, trip to the zoo, surfing lessons on Manly beach and a visit to NSW Parliament hosted by Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall were among the highlights, as was a social with Mosman Prep and Queenwood Schools.
The Year 8 boys had a language day (French or Japanese activities, depending on their subject), visited the Art Gallery of NSW and ABC studios, had a moving visit to the Jewish Museum and cheered on each other – and Visual Art teacher Mr McPherson – who swung from the high-wires at the Sydney Trapeze Centre.
For Year 9, the focus was on marine eco-systems, with time at the Yarrahappini Ecology Centre and at Coffs Harbour. Meanwhile highlights for Year 10 who visited Canberra, included visits to Old Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, Australian Institute of Sport, and Australian Defence Force Academy.
“The excursions are as varied in nature as they are in destination, but collectively they represent a learning journey from local excursions for our youngest children to challenging experiences in the bush, Canberra, Sydney and the coast for senior students. The commitment of our teachers in showing such initiative in designing those experiences and being willing to spend the week away from home to make them happen is especially appreciated,” Headmaster Murray Guest said.
