Saint Benedict himself must have been watching over the town of New Norcia for our annual Year Five Camp to New Norcia. The weather was cool, but delightful. While the students at School were battling rainy days, the Year Five students were applying sunscreen to deal with daytime temperatures that were hovering around 25 degrees! While the nights were cool, they were especially clear and the night skies provided impressive viewing.
At 8:30am on Wednesday 15th of May the two hour bus ride to New Norcia was underway. Students were noticeably excited and the new bypass road ensured a punctual arrival time. Students ate their recess and by 11am were attending their first activity.
Students participated in many of the “old favourite” New Norcia activities, such as decorating boomerangs, Mya-Mya making, town tours and boomerang and spear throwing. However, as many of the monks are now older gentlemen, we also observed a subtle changing of the guard. Younger monks ran many new activities and there was a palpable sense of renewal in the township. The bushfire Dreamtime stories by local indigenous elder, Lester Jacobs are always greatly enjoyed, but this year he was accompanied by two younger monks who delivered astrology lessons. The Bushtucker walk had also been handed over to the younger generation as Father Bernard, who usually runs these activities, had recently celebrated his 90th birthday.
On Day Two students were woken at 6 am for their River Walk or bakery tour. After walking up to 15 kilometres around the township the previous day, some of the group’s initial energy had dissipated. However, they quickly regained enthusiasm as they stepped back in time to immerse themselves in the daily activities of the local monks. The students engaged in activities to demonstrate the unique blend of monastic culture and indigenous heritage. They participated in activities learning about monastic life including historical, bakery, museum, Church and cemetery tours. Students also investigated the lives of the local indigenous people – The Yuet – through a series of interesting and hands on activities.
On the last morning the students visited the local gift shop to look at locally made wares, packed up and enjoyed some free time with friends. As always, the Camp was finished ‘before we knew it.’
It was delightful to be stopped by members of the public and New Norcia staff on numerous occasions to be told how well-mannered, respectful and kind our students were.
As always, camps such as these are the result of the efforts of many people. I wish to thank Father Dave, Nicola Paton, Nathaniel Pestel, Chrissie Payne, Guinnevere Bell, Gillian Dawn, Mandy Oberholster, Cathy Pogson and Cheryl Crisp from the School. Parent helpers were many and contributed greatly to the success of the camp.
Roll on New Norcia Camp 2018!
Mr Scott Horrigan
Year 5 Camp Co-ordintor