Year 7 Canberra and Ski Trip

Our Year 7 ski trip began with a bright and early start and a smooth flight to Canberra, setting the tone for an exciting adventure. Upon arrival, we embarked on our tour of Canberra, which included visits to the Australian War Memorial, Parliament House, and the Australian Electoral Commission. These visits help history, civics and politics come alive, bringing classroom learning into the real world.

After exploring Canberra, we journeyed to Jindabyne and settled into our cozy accommodation at Adventist Alpine Village, ready for the skiing fun ahead. The next two days were filled with delicious meals and exhilarating snow activities. Our first day on the slopes presented some challenges as we adjusted to unfamiliar ski gear and navigated the magic carpet at Smiggins Hole. Staff were incredibly proud of our students’ perseverance and resilience.

With the help of our instructors, we quickly picked up the basics of skiing, from putting on and taking off skis to mastering manoeuvres such as the snowplough (or “pizza”), stopping, and turning. While a few tumbles were inevitable, students showed great determination and made impressive progress. Snow-capped mountains offered stunning views of a snow-covered wonderland, allowing us to pause and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation.

After three memorable nights in Jindabyne, we headed off early for the return journey to Canberra. Depending on which bus students were on, the final day included visits to the remaining destinations, such as Mount Ainslie and Questacon Science Centre, capping off the trip with fun and learning. We then headed to the airport, filled with unforgettable memories.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff and parent volunteers who made this camp a safe and enriching experience for our Year 7 students.

We also gratefully acknowledge the support of the Australian Government, which contributed to the cost of the excursion. Through the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program, the government provides funding of $90 per student to help families with expenses. This rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion, recognising the importance of all young Australians visiting the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education.