Thursday, August 12, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, 9 August 2010
Hey everyone back at home. Today was a bit of a jumbled up day here at Binga as the activities and survival had to be changed around because of the forecasted rain for the next few days. The girls were meant to be venturing out on their survival camp out and the boys were meant to abseil but instead everyone did horseriding, wood chopping and some gardening in rotations throughout the day. We are not sure on tomorrow's activities as the weather is going to change everything.
So other than that today was everyone's third horseriding session and by the end of the session most people had ventured out of the horse yards on a short trail ride through parts of Binga's land.
Yesterday was Family Day here at Binga and everyone had a great time with their families. Everyone was so keen and excited to show their families around Binga and tell them some of the things we've done over the past two weeks away from home.
Between 6 and 7pm everyone had time to eat their left over food their families left with them. After about half an hour everyone had almost given up on eating and we were trying to give away the food we just couldn't eat to anyone, staff, friends or just someone walking past you. I've never seen so many people reject lollies and chocolate before!
By Jamal, Darcie-Jane and Rachel
So other than that today was everyone's third horseriding session and by the end of the session most people had ventured out of the horse yards on a short trail ride through parts of Binga's land.
Yesterday was Family Day here at Binga and everyone had a great time with their families. Everyone was so keen and excited to show their families around Binga and tell them some of the things we've done over the past two weeks away from home.
Between 6 and 7pm everyone had time to eat their left over food their families left with them. After about half an hour everyone had almost given up on eating and we were trying to give away the food we just couldn't eat to anyone, staff, friends or just someone walking past you. I've never seen so many people reject lollies and chocolate before!
By Jamal, Darcie-Jane and Rachel
August 8
Staff member Elizabeth Jones visited Mt Binga on Family Day on Sunday August 8. Her reflection on the day follows.
At 6.30am most Sunday mornings I am still asleep, but the 8th of August saw me drinking heaps of coffee and filling up my car with petrol to head up to Mt Binga for the day.
After a VERY long drive, which is actually quite fun for a determined city girl to see the countryside, and a bit more coffee, I arrived at Mt Binga. For the first time ever, I did not get lost!!!
It was an absolute joy to see the Year 9 Coochie kids again. They looked well, sounded so enthused and welcomed me with open arms. To capture a record of the day, I took heaps of photos and would like to thank the parents and the kids for allowing me to act like the local paparazzi!!
After hanging out with the kids and the parents and learning heaps about the psychology of a horse, it was time for worship. The kids all joined together to present a worship about teamwork that was both entertaining and meaningful. My favourite part was the “skit” where Jamal and Bluey were leading a blindfolded Jenni around using only their voices and non-verbal cues.
Another highlight for me was drinking some of the milk that had come from the cows. Sara was very enthusiastic about having me drink some of this milk. Actually, I’m not a big milk drinker and only had it because Sara was so excited about sharing it with me.
As I left everyone was settling down to have lunch and a catch up with their families. The Jones family were very kind, took me under their wings and fed me sushi.
It was such a positive experience to visit the Year 9 Coochie kids and to see the way that they are relaxing into this excellent opportunity. I can’t wait for them to come home in just under 2 weeks.
Speaking of coming home, the drive back was seemingly uneventful apart from almost falling down a hill at the dam and having absolutely no petrol when I got back!
Elizabeth Jones
Head of House Middle School Coochiemudlo
At 6.30am most Sunday mornings I am still asleep, but the 8th of August saw me drinking heaps of coffee and filling up my car with petrol to head up to Mt Binga for the day.
After a VERY long drive, which is actually quite fun for a determined city girl to see the countryside, and a bit more coffee, I arrived at Mt Binga. For the first time ever, I did not get lost!!!
It was an absolute joy to see the Year 9 Coochie kids again. They looked well, sounded so enthused and welcomed me with open arms. To capture a record of the day, I took heaps of photos and would like to thank the parents and the kids for allowing me to act like the local paparazzi!!
After hanging out with the kids and the parents and learning heaps about the psychology of a horse, it was time for worship. The kids all joined together to present a worship about teamwork that was both entertaining and meaningful. My favourite part was the “skit” where Jamal and Bluey were leading a blindfolded Jenni around using only their voices and non-verbal cues.
Another highlight for me was drinking some of the milk that had come from the cows. Sara was very enthusiastic about having me drink some of this milk. Actually, I’m not a big milk drinker and only had it because Sara was so excited about sharing it with me.
As I left everyone was settling down to have lunch and a catch up with their families. The Jones family were very kind, took me under their wings and fed me sushi.
It was such a positive experience to visit the Year 9 Coochie kids and to see the way that they are relaxing into this excellent opportunity. I can’t wait for them to come home in just under 2 weeks.
Speaking of coming home, the drive back was seemingly uneventful apart from almost falling down a hill at the dam and having absolutely no petrol when I got back!
Elizabeth Jones
Head of House Middle School Coochiemudlo
Saturday, 7 August 2010
Another episode in the life of Binga. Today at Binga we finally had our weekend sleep in until 7 and the day ended up being pretty quiet. We got to wash our clothes and did some jobs like woodchopping and gardening. We also did some work for Family Day which everyone is looking forward to.
The boys are going abseiling on Monday while the girls are going on a 3 day survival which the boys will tackle on Tuesday. Everyone seems pretty excited for those events and hopefully everyone has a great time and learns more about camping and the people around them.
Also during our time here at Binga 2 calves have been born, one to Ozzy and one to Lily but they haven't been named yet.
From Bea, Joel and Mollie
The boys are going abseiling on Monday while the girls are going on a 3 day survival which the boys will tackle on Tuesday. Everyone seems pretty excited for those events and hopefully everyone has a great time and learns more about camping and the people around them.
Also during our time here at Binga 2 calves have been born, one to Ozzy and one to Lily but they haven't been named yet.
From Bea, Joel and Mollie
Friday, 6 August 2010
Today the Coochie kids chilled around the campsite. We split into two groups. One did some much needed washing and the other did various jobs such as weeding, wood chopping and collecting wood from the forest.
The second half of the day was dedicated to preparing the worship service for Family Day. Everyone did well in contributing ideas. Now only two days away, the Coochie kids are very excited about Family Day. Many are crossing their fingers and toes for the treats to come. Some of the treats wanted are chocoate, chips, lollies and soft drink. Although the treats are wanted many (actually all) people are just excited to see mum and dad.
Tomorrow we will be doing the same as today with the groups swapping. We will also have a sleep in. Yay! Other than that the final preparations for Family Day will be made.
See you soon and God bless!
Max, Andy and Maddie
The second half of the day was dedicated to preparing the worship service for Family Day. Everyone did well in contributing ideas. Now only two days away, the Coochie kids are very excited about Family Day. Many are crossing their fingers and toes for the treats to come. Some of the treats wanted are chocoate, chips, lollies and soft drink. Although the treats are wanted many (actually all) people are just excited to see mum and dad.
Tomorrow we will be doing the same as today with the groups swapping. We will also have a sleep in. Yay! Other than that the final preparations for Family Day will be made.
See you soon and God bless!
Max, Andy and Maddie
Friday, August 6, 2010
6 August 2010
Today was a massive day. The boys finished off the daunting three day hike with Jamal and Jake tying in to be the first of the group to complete the hike. Meanwhile the girls had their second crack at horseriding which is by far one of the popular activities.
The three day hike was one of the harder challenges. It requires the allocated groups to cross 15kms of hills, creeks and bushland relying on their own navigational abilities to traverse the neighbouring terrain with only a little assistance from staff.
We believe all people who have been to Mt Binga or are experiencing it now agree that horseriding is extremely popular. Each student is allocated a horse for a session and you find that you bond with the animal. In the next weeks we will all be participating in a trail ride to show off our newly acquired skills in horsemanship.
Everybody is in high spirits at Mt Binga enjoying all aspects of what it has to offer.
By Aaron and Jake
The three day hike was one of the harder challenges. It requires the allocated groups to cross 15kms of hills, creeks and bushland relying on their own navigational abilities to traverse the neighbouring terrain with only a little assistance from staff.
We believe all people who have been to Mt Binga or are experiencing it now agree that horseriding is extremely popular. Each student is allocated a horse for a session and you find that you bond with the animal. In the next weeks we will all be participating in a trail ride to show off our newly acquired skills in horsemanship.
Everybody is in high spirits at Mt Binga enjoying all aspects of what it has to offer.
By Aaron and Jake
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