Year 7 Camp – A Forest Adventure Full of Firsts

March 28, 2025

Students kicked off their Year 7 journey with an unforgettable outdoor adventure at Nanga Bush Camp in Dwellingup.

To give everyone the best experience, the cohort was split into two groups. Group 1, consisting of students in Byrne, de la Hoyde, Dillon and O’Reilly, headed off first. Students from Corbett, Frayne, Kelly and O’Donnell followed later in the week. Each group spent three days immersed in nature, with just the right balance of challenges, connection and fresh air.

Getting Comfortable with the Uncomfortable

There were plenty of nerves as the girls arrived, backpacks on and boots laced. But those didn’t last long. From the first hike into camp, it was all action, raft building, low ropes, wall climbing, orienteering, tent pitching, and cooking meals on Trangia’s.

They even got the best of both worlds, with one night under the stars in tents and one night in the bunkhouse. A great balance of challenge and comfort!

Students Mila and Chelsea shared, “We loved the camp experience, being with our friends and making new connections. Rock climbing was very challenging, but we made it in the end.”

Not Just Camp Games

While the activities were fun, it was the learning behind them that really mattered. The girls had to work together, communicate clearly and problem-solve on the go, whether it was figuring out how to get their raft to float or navigating the bush with a compass.

It was also a great opportunity for the girls to connect beyond their usual friendship groups and support one another in new ways.

A Strong Start to Year 7

Year 7 is all about transition, different routines, a bigger campus, and lots of unfamiliar faces. Camp came at just the right time, helping to build connections and ease the adjustment to high school life.

“I loved making memories with all my friends, and the zip lining was my absolute favourite! (The food was also great!)” Madeline

The forest setting, fresh air, and tech-free time gave the girls space to reflect, reset and enjoy being together.

What’s Next?

The camp was just the beginning. We hope the Year 7s will carry their new skills, friendships and confidence with them into the term ahead. And judging by the stories and smiles they brought home, we’d say it was a pretty great way to kick off high school.

ConfidenceBuilding, Connection, Dwellingup, Featured, Friendships, NangaBushCamp, Resilience, StudentLife, teamwork, Year7Camp

Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.