As Victoria plunged into lockdown, six Greater Shepparton Secondary College Year 9 students made it home after months at a leadership camp, while a further 10 unpacked their bags — forced to delay their trip after weeks of preparation.
GSSC assistant principal Karen Utber said it had been a huge disappointment for the 10 students, who were due to head to the Snowy River School for Student Leadership on Monday, July 19.
“It's been hard for them, they weren’t supposed to be engaging in this term's classes . . . they weren't expecting to be here,” she said.
“Now they've had to make that switch in mindset, and continue to do work for Mooroopna as well.”
There are four Department of Education and Training schools for student leadership across the state — with the newest camp established in the Yarra Valley.
Students embark on a live-in term of education that takes kids out of the traditional classroom to learn life skills of outdoor conservation, sport, leadership and resilience.
Year 9 student Madeline Judd is still waiting to head to the Snowy River camp.
“It was a bummer,” she said.
“But I guess you can't do much about it, you just have to work around it . . . we still have support systems for online schooling, like it was last year with lockdown.”
Madeline said there was no chance the camp would extend its finish date, so each day in lockdown was another they wouldn't spend at the Snowy River camp.
Year 9 student Cooper Sidebottom said he was "still pretty sad" he wasn't able to leave on the planned date.
“Now lockdown's been extended for another week, it's more time we’re missing out on,” he said.
Instead, Cooper hoped virtual meetings and pre-arrival activities online would help build relationships with staff and students before they eventually made it to the site.
“My liaison teacher sent me back my sheets asking to expand on myself so we can get to know each other,” he said.
Year 9 student Kikia Warne was one of six from GSSC to head to the Haining Farm School for Student Leadership in Term 1, and raved about the extensive activities and relationships she had built.
“We went canoeing, we went hiking, biking, and we met a lot of great people,” she said.
“Your relationships get closer and closer as you go through activities and work together . . . it was amazing.”
With 45 kids across eight schools, students from regional areas were paired with roommates from the city to expand their horizons.
“Moral dilemmas" such as rationing out food were deliberately created to teach the young adults how to compromise.
“It made everyone work together,” Kikia said.
“The learning was holistic.
“The environment was just completely different, I came back and felt changed.
“When you’d been there for so long, you feel safe, you can say what you want to say; even if you have your own opinion, you’re not going to be belittled or judged.”
Year 9 student Jayden Lamb was on camp with Kikia, and said it had "opened his mind".
Each day, classes would run from 9 am to 8.30 pm, with large breaks and times for reflection.
“It was a massive difference from what I’ve been used to . . . getting away from my family and being part of a bigger, diverse family,” Jayden said.
He came back wanting to be challenged and make inroads to career pathways, and ended up enrolling in extension subjects to fast-track next year.
“Camp showed me I only have so much time and I want to make the most out of it,” Jayden said.
Still twiddling his thumbs at home, Cooper is hopeful the wait won't be too long.
“It's exciting but nerve-racking,” he said.
“What better way to learn leadership than going away from all supports to challenge you,” Ms Utber said.