Hi all parents and carers. We are at the airport about to take off. We are on flight QF719 due to arrive at 9:25pm (not 10:15!!!!) looking forward to seeing you all soon. All for now

Tuesday 1st

Today was pretty cool. First we woke up at 5.30am; we then had breakfast at 6.00am and left the Lodge at 7.00am. We drove for about 2hrs. We then arrived in Cooma. We each got a snow jacket and long pants and boots to keep us warm. At about 11.00am we arrived at the snowy mountains. It was awesome. There was snow everywhere. First we went tobogganing on a small hill; it was a lot of fun. After that we went up a chair lift and we played on massive hills. They were about 20-35ft. We jumped off them or slid down them. Sometimes it was hard to get back up the hills. We then went back down the hill and returned to the Lodge. Juan.

Today we woke up before the sun did; we had toast, spaghetti, eggs and sausages for breakfast. We left the Lodge at 7.00am and had the most uncomfortable three hour drive to the snow. The snow was beautiful but cold, really cold. We did tobogganing and some of us even stood up on the toboggans and tried to snowboard. After tobogganing we had lunch, it was nice. We went on the ski lifts; the view was beautiful although it was freezing. At the end of the ski lift ride we got off and we were on top of a mountain!! Everyone rolled down the steep hill. On the way home we stopped at MacDonald’s and had dinner. Today was an amazing experience. Kay-Lee

Today we went up a mountain to have some fun. We got in these plastic tray things (tobogganing), and we started to slide down the hills. We also had lots of snow fights and it was a free for all, and then went on some ski lifts to go one of the tallest mountains in Canberra. It took lots of strength to climb up to the top, but you get a great view when you’re at the top. Tyshan

Today we woke up at 5am we had breakfast at 6am then we were off to go and see the show. We first started going to a shop and put on snow gear after that we went to a park to have some afternoon tea, it was custard pies. Then we left to see the snow. When we arrived the cold was colder, the felt so cool. We then did tobogganing and played in the snow. Then we went on a ski lift it was so high and fun. We were all so wet afterwards. Then we had MacDonald’s for dinner. It was cool. “Happy Birthday Charlie.” Darcie.

Monday 30th

We woke up at an early time this morning and we had an omelette type of thing for breakfast, which was nice. First we went to the CSIRO and had some Eastern Long Neck turtles crawl around the floor and on us. They were pretty cool and energetic. We had a play in the discovery centre and then we left. Next we travelled to the Geo-science and did a little worksheet. There were heaps of cool rocks and crystals but my favourites were the crystal sulphur and the amethyst. We also made an earthquake which was fun. Next we went to Canberra Deep Space Centre and had a look at the museum, there was a moon rock and a replica of the first Mars rover which was only meant to go for 90 days but it is still going 10 years later! After that we came home and had dinner. Lachlan

Today was science day we awoke at 6.30am and had brekkie at 7.00am. The choices were cereal, toast, egg and tomato omelette which I didn’t eat. We left around 9.00am to go to the CSIRO and science place. There we played with turtles, watched a 3D movie about the sun and tried interactive objects. We left to go to Geo-science. We had a chocolate brownie for morning tea. When we had all finished a guide came and gave us a tour about rocks, jewels and ores. She gave us each a worksheet to complete individually or with a group. After, we left on journey which lasted an hour, to the Deep Space. Once we had arrived everyone had a wrap with whatever they wanted in it. Our guide told us about the sun and what NASA is going to do in the future. Then we had to go back to the Bush Capital Lodge. Levi

Today, we woke up early at 6.30am. Then we went and had breakfast. We had toast, omelette and baked beans. Next we went to CSIRO and watched a 3D movie called the Surface of the Sun. After the movie we went to the discovery centre which was fun. Next we got on the bus and went to Geo-science where there was a huge rock collection. We had a talk about earthquakes and had a go at making our own by jumping on the floor. Next we got back on the bus. It was a boring one hour drive to the NASA Deep Space Centre where we discovered information about space and how we can help space exploration. Next we got back on the bus and had another boring drive home. William O.

Today, our very large group had a science day and started it off with a trip to the CSIRO. We met some turtles there and we also did some different science experiments. Once finished, we travelled to the Geo-Science Centre and did a worksheet as well as examining some crystals. We also jumped up and down to create a small earthquake which was measured on the Richter scale, which was measured in the shape of a Christmas tree. After a long (loooong) drive, we arrived at our last destination for the day and the Canberra Space Centre. The man, whose name was Glenn, showed us different aspects of the sun on a movie screen and also showed us around the items of space history and information about space robots. He also told us that some random people in the world need to help NASA to monitor the galaxy. We finished it off by identifying some galaxy’s which I did. Today was a great day. Jed

Sunday 29th

Today the first thing we did was go to church. Some of us had never been to church; some of us have but not in a while and some go a lot. After that we went to the war memorial. Then we went to the Sculpture Gardens and it was pretty cool. Then we had a secret surprise. Everyone kept asking, some guessed and some got it wrong then we got it right! Bowling. I love bowling. We all did it and I think everyone had fun. After bowling we came back to where we are staying. Tori

Today we went to the War Memorial and we were putting poppies on the wall of Remembrance and we stood and looked in the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Before we went there, we went and saw a Supermarine Seafire and a P-51 mustang and a shell from a Mig. After this we looked at the aircraft hall where we saw an Avro Lancaster and a Messerschmitt BF-109. We stood and watched a light show on the Avro Lancaster, which was known as George. It was the actual plane I could see that had been restored to immaculate condition in the aircraft hangar. There was also a WW1 fighter and the guns and bombs they used. That was cool. Then we went to the World War II section and there was a simulator of a plane ride on a bombing run that crashed and it was also on an Avro Lancaster. That was really cool as well. We found a spitfire and that was awesome. After the war memorial we had a mystery surprise and it was bowling. That was really fun. (Hi Mr Thieme, I know you are reading this) Alec

Today was an awesome day. We woke up and had brekkie. It was extra awesome because we had bacon. Anyway we went to St Andrews’ Presbyterian Church. The building itself was absolutely gorgeous. It was tall and pointy. I loved it. We sat straight through the whole service. Afterwards we had a snack and rang the bells. We learnt how to ride a unicycle. We then had lunch and went off to see some sculptures. It was ‘amaze balls.’ A mist machine came on and we all got wet. We then went to the War memorial for the second time. I was really sad. We went into the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which was extra sad. We then went to go bowling which was a surprise. It was lots of fun. There was music on and we were all just chilling out and having fun. We came back to the Lodge and are now waiting for another surprise. That is it for now; see all you peeps in a couple of days. Bye. Ngataaria

Today we went to the War Memorial. We were split into two groups of boys and girls. We looked around the War Memorial. It was sad to hear that so many soldiers died in the war. Some people bought poppies to put on the name of a relative who had died during the war on the Roll of Honour. Mr Puzey had planned a surprise event. He did not tell anyone, not even the teachers. At last we found out that the surprise was bowling. It was great fun. I won the first game but Aislynn beat me on the second. Diya

Saturday 28th (Ben's Birthday)

Today Southern Hills and Carnarvon Christian School went to the Canberra Zoo. They had lots of endangered animals. Half of the kids got to feed a male white lion. The lions are massive and really bulky. We saw two sun bears that had been rescued from poachers. The sun bears got caught when they were only three weeks old. They got put in small cages and could only move from side to side. We came across a new Sumatran tiger. There was also an enclosure that had native Australian animals. We got to feed an emu called Moo. We also saw some monkeys that were really energetic and threw stuff at you. Finally before we left the zoo we got to hold a python. It was very small and it also felt weird. Connor

Hi everyone. Today I visited the National Australian Zoo and Aquariums to visit the animals. Some animals that we saw were white lions, sun bears, monkeys, birds, a leopard and tiger. At the aquarium I saw sharks, fish and also some reptiles. I had an awesome time at the zoo and it had been raining most of the time, which was hard to go along with, but I had a great time. Maddison.

Woke up at the usual time this morning, which was at 6.30am and having an early breakfast. There was toast, scrambled egg, baked beans and cereals. It was amazing. We then headed onto the bus and arrived at the zoo. First our tour guide came along and told us half of us were able to feed the lions and the other half feed the giraffe. The lion was amazing and it growled at a lot of people. I fed the giraffe with a carrot. It was good and I personally liked it all. All the activities that we did really worked out through to the end of the day. James.

Today we went to the Australian Institute of Sport. We started with a guided tour with an athlete named Rachael. She had a scholarship at the AIS for walking. The first place we went was where the gymnasts train. Rachael explained all of the equipment used and some of the records that were set. After that we walked across to another building which turned out to be the volleyball centre. We saw all the courts and the size of the net. It was huge! There was also a marker of the tallest person in the AIS volleyball team. The height of the net is just under the height for the records for high jump. After that we looked at the Olympians that had trained at the AIS. We then went to the swimming pools and looked at a video of how the pool works. The pool cost over 17 million dollars to build. Rachael showed us how the technical side of the pool works. It has some really cool ways to improve the athletes’ techniques and performances. After that we went upstairs to Sportex. There are items from history, video simulations and other pieces of equipment. The AIS is a really cool sporty place I enjoy. Benjamin K.

HI guys, today we went to the Zoo. We had one of best experiences of my life and it was awesome. I felt like a zoo keeper. Then we went to feed the lions. Some people got the lion to roar and some of the other people that did not get to feed the lions, lions got to feed the fourteen year old giraffe. He was very big and had a tongue about 43 cm long. It was huge. It was awesome feeding the giraffe. We also went to the Australian walkabout which was in the zoo. We fed the emu apple and then went to the Aquarium which was also in the zoo. We went there and held a snake and took photographs. We looked at lots of fish and snakes. We went to the hut at the zoo and ate lunch. It was amazing. We had wraps for lunch; we went into the Gift shop and bought some things. We went to the AIS and had a tour. Taj


To the family back home, today we went to the AIS (sport place). It was pretty fun. It was pretty fun, I liked the play part at Sportex. The best and favourite thing for me to do was the chin-up hold and it timed you. I versed Kay-Lee and I won. It hurt my arms. My friends Kay-Lee, Diya, Tori, and Lauren and I went and watched the dancing competition I wasn’t really into the dancing but the clothes were really nice. My other favourite activity at Sportex was a game where you jumped and pressed buttons and had to try to go as high as you could. There was also a board and a screen where you were racing and it was pretty fun. At the zoo I held a snake. It felt so cool! Lilly

Friday 27th

It was our second full day today and it was a very eventful one too. We woke up at 6.45am and got dressed in our formal clothes that for us Carnarvon boys, was the school uniform and long black shiny pants. We had a very tasty breakfast that was spaghetti, sausages scrambled eggs and bread. After a 20 minute drive we arrived at the Mint and walked in. The first thing I saw was a giant pot of $1 dollar coins with a dome over it. Then we got a guide to show us around the mint. As we went up some stairs made of money the guide showed us the room where all the robots worked but we only got to see two robots called Robbie and Titan. We also saw all the coins that had been messed up. After looking around at the coins we got to see all the past designs of the Australian coins. 10 minutes later we were down in the shop buying and making cool coins. As I was looking around at some stuff I saw a $2000 dollar golden $1 coin that was about as big as a baseball. Lyndon

My main highlight of the day was going to old Parliament House. We were going to do a debate. First we were told to sit down by our guide and we had to open a box and put on costumes and make a presentation. My group was against building a dam in Tasmania and I think we did a pretty good job. After that we all got led to the old Parliament Senate and we did a re-enactment of the debate about building the dam on the Franklin River in Tasmania. For lunch we had salads, in my salad I had tuna, lettuce, tomato, carrot and cheese. It was yummy. That was my highlight. Katie Chase

Today we left on the bus to the Royal Australian Mint. We were led upstairs, which were made of 5c coins and watched a video on how coins were made. Then we went to a hall that displayed historical coins and how they were made. After that we saw manufacturing rooms for coin making. Then we drove to the old Parliament House, there we acted out the Franklin River debate. We travelled to Parliament House. We learned about the Senate and the House of Representatives. We also acted out a debate about removing ads from children’s shows. I got to hold the mace. I was the Sergeant at Arms. Joshua

Hi folks, today was an awesome and really cool day. We went to Old Parliament. I personally thought that the old Parliament House was more interesting than the new Parliament House. So today we had a debate about building the dam on the Franklin River. Each one of us chose a group. Each group had a box full of different things, such as costumes and banners to tell us why you were building the dam, or why not. Our group had the hardest box according to the tour guide. Next we moved on to the old Senate to re-enact the debate about the building on the Franklin River, it was really cool to be in the room where the old senators sat but sadly our time at the old Parliament House had ended and it was time for us to move on to the next place. Benjamin Hewitt-Mackay

Today we woke up feeling all bright and happy after having a good sleep the night before. We had a big breakfast of scrambled eggs and sausages. We first went to the mint then we went to the old Parliament House, then we had a lunch. Then we went to the Parliament House and finally we drove up to Mount Ainslie. One of my favourite parts of the day was the Parliament House. It was huge and grand. We first had a tour around the place and saw the Senate chamber and the House of Representatives. Then we got to debate! Our debate was “We should ban all advertisements off children’s T.V.” I was for the motion. There were some great arguments but we won. Then we got to go on the roof. It was cold but the view was worth it. After all that, it was time to leave the Parliament House. Danika

Thursday 26th June

Hi Families and friends Yesterday was a very full day of travel after we left the families behind at Perth Airport. The flight went well even the roller coaster ride we had as we came into Canberra. Many of the students were happy for the plane to land and commented that they had achieved their first goal of the trip, arriving in Canberra alive!!!! Sleep was not easy for the excited group but dawn arrived regardless and we started our day a little tired but very excited to be into the trip. The students have written a little about their day for you. We arrived at the Governor General’s residence at 9:00am where the tour guide led us through to the dining room while explaining the house rules. We got into the dining room when the Governor Generals air force representative talked us through what his job was like, a brief look at the medals and he told us what the Governor General’s job was. Then to our surprise the Governor General walked into the room and told us what his job was and what powers he had over the government. After questions another tour guide came and showed us more rooms in the house, including the governor’s office. The last thing we saw was a wooden cabinet with 54 draws which most were inside other draws. It was an exciting place to visit for us and we all very much enjoyed it. :D Will After the visit to the Governor General’s residence the yr 7’s went to the National Capital Exhibition Centre. Where our guide Ian, talked about how Canberra was built and how it came to look like it is today, Thanks to Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Burley Griffin. We also got to play with Lego and construct something. We also watched a light show on a mini model of Canberra. Piper Today my dorm group woke up at the unruly hour of 5:30AM! We did a lot of fun activities at a whole variety of different places. My favourite part was going to the War Memorial it was magnificent! It was the highlight of the day for many of the students. Firstly we walked around the Discovery Centre and experienced what it was it was like to be in a Trench, Helicopter and a Submarine! After all that we gathered together for the Closing Ceremony. It was beautiful! We listened to the Bagpipes and the Bugle play, truly breathtaking!!! Feel The Love Jasmin https://plus.google.com/photos/112032311843761260927/albums/6029189829899888545