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Toona – I’m on my way, so hold tight!

Last week, 5B had their first Toona experience, visiting our school camp on the Gippsland lakes in Victoria. We had an amazing week, approaching all activities with a positive attitude. Some of our highlights included:

  • Kayaking
  • Bike Riding
  • Koala and Kangaroo spotting
  • Camping
  • Campfire games
  • King Ball
  • Ga Ga Ball
  • The famous ‘Shoe Game’
  • Police Boat visit
  • Fishing and boat rides

And this is only just scratching the surface on our action-packed week of adventure! Throughout the week, we recorded a music video to the song ‘Coming Home’ by Australian band Sheppard. We chose this song, as we think Toona is the heart and home of our school, as it allows us to demonstrate school’s attributes and develop important skills outside the classroom. Watch the video below and tell us what you think!

We must really pass on our thanks and gratitude to several people to making this the most incredible week.

  • Josh, Grace and Jesse from Outdoor Ed – you supported and pushed us through every challenge.
  • Em and Charlie, our fantastic Year 11s – you showed incredible initiative and ran so many fun and challenging activities, and we enjoyed getting to know you.
  • Mrs Collins – you were there for every step of our activities and were kind, supportive, funny and encouraging.
  • Trish – you’re food was top notch! #wewanttrish

We can’t wait until we get the chance to head back to Toona next year!

Have you ever been to Toona, or a similar camp before?

What were your favourite activities, and what attributes did you need to display to work with others and experience success at the activities?

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11 Comments

  1. edwinvelezela

    Hi my name is Edwin Velez from York, PA in the USA and i’m from a school called Edgar Fahs Smith STEAM Academy and I like your blog I never went to Toona but it sounds like a nice place to be.

    • dylanbenwell dylanbenwell

      Hi Edwin,

      Great to hear from you! Sounds like a great school to be at. Toona is on a big lake in Victoria. Have you been to the great lakes in USA/Canada? It’s like that (except ours are far far smaller!)

      Cheers,
      5B

  2. angelastraford

    Mr. Benwell, your video on your post is FANTASTIC!! It looks like you and your class had a wonderful time at Toona. 5S had a great time also and like all of you, cannot wait to go back next year. My favourite activity was kayaking, which was yours?
    Mrs. Straford

    • dylanbenwell dylanbenwell

      Hi Mrs Straford,

      Thanks, we had a fabulous time. Great to have you back – didn’t quite have the weather we did. I’m looking forward to next years Toona camp in for many reasons!

      My favourite activity was fishing, I really liked the opportunity to stop and relax in the sun, even though we didn’t catch anything!

      How did 5S enjoy the camping?

      Mr Benwell

  3. Miss W

    G’day Mr Benwell,
    The trip sounds fantastic like school camps I went on with my classes. But I can’t view the video as it is asking me to log in through your school account. Are you allowed by your education department to upload to a class Youtube account then download again into the blog with a link?

    • dylanbenwell dylanbenwell

      Hi Miss W!

      Thanks for the comment, it was an amazing week. Unfortunately, at this stage because of the size of the video it’s the only way I could get it there. Our school has YouTube blocked and privacy around putting the video up there – sorry!

      Mr Benwell.

  4. Not saying

    This was a very good post!!
    What are Koala’s?

    • dylanbenwell dylanbenwell

      Hi!

      Koalas are a native animal in Australia. They live in gum trees, and spend most of the day sleeping! Have you been to Australia?

      Mr Benwell

  5. Marg

    Hi Dylan,
    Wow! Your Toona experience sounds amazing! You are so lucky to get a whole week at camp! Fishing, kayaking, camping, koalas, kangaroos, boats, campfires . So much fun! What are King ball and GaGa ball? I haven’t heard of them before. ( NowI have to go look up where Toona is.)
    Unfortunately, I couldn’t see the video. 😞 Could youplease make sure your teacher sees the suggestion from Miss W? We’d really love to see it.

    Marg
    Student blogging challenge commenter
    1marg.edublogs.org

    • dylanbenwell dylanbenwell

      Hi Marg,

      It was a terrific week. We have been careful on privacy with the video, so unfortunately won’t be uploading it to our blog in any different way! Thanks for commenting on our class blog.

      Mr Benwell

  6. Miss Davidson

    Dear 5BL,

    I LOVE your music video! It’s awesome. What a great memento of time at Toona!

    Miss D.

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