From Monday 31^st May until Wednesday 2^nd June the Middle School were away on a trip facing some fearful situations at Nanbei Lake. Some comments we will remember include ‘Mr. Polson - there is a lizard in my boat’, ‘I don’t like heights’, ‘I can’t do that, it’s too far’, and ‘there is a bug in my bedroom’. Then came, ‘that was easy’, ‘can I do that again?’, ‘what’s next?’ and ‘can we stay longer?’. All of the Middle School students gained a great deal for the experience by either facing their fears or by completing some very challenging activities.

The first day started in the afternoon with kayaking on the beautiful lake itself, it was followed in the late afternoon by the crossing of the wire and rope bridges. With a few wet feet and big smiles, all the students completed this task. We then relaxed around a campfire and sang the evening away with ‘Ging Gang Goolie”.

The next day started with abseiling down a forty metre rock face in an old quarry. Most students agreed that this was the best thing on the trip. That afternoon we continued the theme by climbing up a ten metre rope ladder and then facing the terrifying leap of faith. Most students couldn’t believe what they had to do. Climb up a ten metre pole, stand up on top of it and then leap for a trapeze some distance away. By the end most students had even tried it for a second time and wanted to do it again. We finished the day with a barbeque and another round of ‘Ging Gang Goolie’.

On the last day the face of a climbing wall beckoned us, as we looked up to see what we had to climb. I think I can say that this was the most physical activity undertaken. We did see some amazing climbs in extremely fast times from our students. I must say a well done to everyone for their enthusiasm and commitment in trying and completing almost everything. Congratulations to you! I must also say a big thank you to Miss Tina and Mr. Keith for helping so much on this trip.