From Monday 7 – Friday 11 July, five students completed their gold adventurous journey on Great Barrier Island. The journey involved flying to Great Barrier on a Cessna aircraft, five days of tramping and sleeping in tents then returning on the Cessna. This is what the students had to say about the journey.
Kate-Lynn De Klerk 13E2: The 5-day tramping trip to Great Barrier Island for my gold journey was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It pushed me way out of my comfort zone as I have no tramping experience, but I still had a really fun time with my peers. I learned a lot of navigation skills, such as route planning, map reading, and compass navigation.
Emily Wen 12K18: This gold journey was definitely an unforgettable experience. It was my first time truly living without a phone, and I loved every moment of being free from signal and stress. Despite the challenge of carrying an 18kg backpack and facing endless uphill climbs and staircases on some days, the stunning views made it all worth it. Throughout the journey, I developed many valuable skills like leadership and interpersonal communication, and it also strengthened my spirit to overcome challenges.
Merissa Leon 12K6: The gold trip to Great Barrier Island was definitely something I will remember forever. I had learned many new skills, like how to use a compass for bearings, and river crossing. Not only did I build stronger relationships with my peers, but we also overcame many challenges as a team, including the group dinner we had on the last day. I came back with not only unforgettable memories but also a stronger and more confident version of myself.
Cindy Xin 12D15: This tramping trip was the wildest trip I have ever been on. I experienced a lot of soreness in my muscles, but I also got to build connections with people and learn navigation skills. The trip to Great Barrier Island was certainly a great chance for me to enhance my physical and mental well-being away from social media and stress.
Amy Cao 12D9: This gold journey was the first overnight tramping trip in my life. During this unforgettable trip, I learned about the history and plants on Great Barrier Island as well as many useful outdoor skills, such as navigation and how to set up a tent. To me, this trip was a challenge as it was the biggest trip I have ever been on. Overall, I managed to overcome all the obstacles on the trip and successfully completed my gold journey.