NILLUMBIK TERM 4 2024 WEEK 5

Hi everyone, we’ve got a super exciting blog ahead of us!

On Wednesday we completed a TAFE tester at Melbourne Polytechnic Heidelberg and a fun game of Bowling!

Staff at Melbourne Polytechnic Heidelberg were kind enough to give students a tour of the campus and inform them of different pathways they can embark on at a TAFE! We also had the chance to learn how to make a key in the Lock smithing department, and students got to build wooden stools with the carpentry team!

On Thursday we completed our Caving day out at Britannia creek caves!

Nerves were high but there was lots of excitement in the group with the crew eager to get down in the cave and start exploring! After getting into overalls, helmets and head torches, Brendon went through a safety talk and we touched based on how each other were feeling before heading in! We started exploring the cave, navigating through tight spaces, stopping and admiring some beautiful glow worms! After doing a loop of a large boulder in the cave, worming through tight spaces and walking through some rushing water we made a way out. Brendon and some other students headed back into the cave, completing it in the opposite direction, with Toby and Mason leading to group out. We completed a beautiful scenic walk back to bus before heading home.

On Friday we had an exciting day spent in the city completely Operation Newstarts version of the Amazing race and Rock-climbing. After meeting students at Flinders Street Station we split up into 2 groups and started the race. Students had a list of questions to answers using the map of the CBD and also some general knowledge questions about famous Melbourne landmarks/events. The stakes were high with a 1 hour time limit to make it to Melbourne central first with the most amount of points! Toby, Bailey and Logan came out Victorious only 200 points away from a perfect score! We then headed off to rock climbing at Hard rock. Students got strapped into harnesses and learnt the basics of climbing and belaying on a training course before hitting the big walls! Everyone did an awesome job, with the whole crew giving it a go and showing great support along the way.

We had an awesome week on the program, learning lots of new skills, experiences and community involvement. We’re gearing up for our final camp this week and our graduation the week after! Thank you to Sarah and Kevin for your support and resources at Melbourne Polytechnic. And shout out to our awesome students for getting out their comfort zone and facing their nerves this week, well done guys!