Mrs Courtney Nissen accompanied our Coochie students to Mt Binga on Monday and has written a reflection on her experience on the day.
Coochie students arrived to school today with mixed emotions as their Mt Binga experience was about to begin. Before we departed the students and their families shared a devotion together followed by an emotional farewell. The bus trip was an exciting one with the students on the edge of their seats, constantly asking how much longer it would take to get there. The energy on the bus indicated that the students could hardly wait to see their new home for the next 4 weeks.
We stopped halfway at the Wivenhoe Dam to share a morning tea that consisted of coke, chips and tim tams. Each student savoured every last crumb as it would be their last for at least 2 weeks. After the sugar hit we attempted to get a lovely group photo but the excitement was too much and they just couldn't sit still. I think the photos say it all.
As we got closer the noise in the bus lowered as the students peered outside their windows to see their accommodation. There were many horses and cows, and a lot of red dirt that would surely ruin their white shoes. They got off the bus and were welcomed immediately with friendly, smiling faces who told them where their cabins were so they could settle in. The rooms were small but had heaps of character with lounges on their verandahs, and a fireplace in the middle of their camp site. Challenges were certainly going to be had in the kitchen.....even I couldn't work out how to operate the oven!
I felt confident and proud of the students as I said goodbye, however they didn't seem too fazed about my departure, as lunch was about to be served.
We stopped halfway at the Wivenhoe Dam to share a morning tea that consisted of coke, chips and tim tams. Each student savoured every last crumb as it would be their last for at least 2 weeks. After the sugar hit we attempted to get a lovely group photo but the excitement was too much and they just couldn't sit still. I think the photos say it all.
As we got closer the noise in the bus lowered as the students peered outside their windows to see their accommodation. There were many horses and cows, and a lot of red dirt that would surely ruin their white shoes. They got off the bus and were welcomed immediately with friendly, smiling faces who told them where their cabins were so they could settle in. The rooms were small but had heaps of character with lounges on their verandahs, and a fireplace in the middle of their camp site. Challenges were certainly going to be had in the kitchen.....even I couldn't work out how to operate the oven!
I felt confident and proud of the students as I said goodbye, however they didn't seem too fazed about my departure, as lunch was about to be served.
Mrs Courtney Nissen PCG Teacher
