Year 7 Activity Day at Vision Valley

Catherine McAuley Westmead students preparing to abseil
Students joined in fun team challenges designed to boost collaboration and communication at the Year 7 Activity Day.

The Year 7 Activity Day gave students the chance to step out of their comfort zones, build confidence and resilience, and create lasting memories through exciting outdoor challenges.

Last Friday, Year 7 students participated in the Year 7 Activity Day, a one-day outdoor recreation experience at Vision Valley, Arcadia.

The day was designed to foster team building, resilience, problem-solving and critical thinking with students taking part in a range of outdoor activities under the guidance of trained Vision Valley staff.

Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 7, Ms Leah Morrison, said that the Year 7 students enjoyed a fantastic day. “Throughout the day, students took part in a variety of engaging team-building activities that encouraged collaboration and communication,” Ms Morrison said. “It was wonderful to see such a strong display of teamwork, with students offering encouragement and support for their peers. The group demonstrated high levels of participation in every activity, creating a positive atmosphere and ensuring the day was filled with lots of fun for everyone involved."

Catherine McAuley Westmead students practising archery

Catherine McAuley Westmead students rowing a boat down a stream

Activities were many and included canoeing, a high ropes course, a vertical playpen, archery, rock climbing, abseiling, and raft building, to name a few. Year 7 student Maxxine P. said her favourite activity was the raft building, where students worked together using pipes, tyres and flotation devices to construct their own rafts before testing them in the water. Maxine said this was her favourite activity because of the teamwork involved. “I enjoyed the teambuilding and working together was really entertaining,” she said. “I also made some more friends in my Homeroom.”

For Ziana P., the highlight of the day was canoeing. “I love water activities so I was pleased I was able to do canoeing. It was really challenging though as we really had to work together to keep moving in the right direction.”

The Sugar Glider activity, where students were harnessed and lifted into the air as their classmates pulled on the rope to raise them higher and higher, and the vertical playpen which involved climbing to great heights, was a challenge for some but provided a great sense of accomplishment when completed. "I really enjoyed it because I was able to focus on my climbing instead of looking down,” said Sanvi P. “Normally, heights make me panic, but I just concentrated on what I was doing. When I got stuck on the ropes trying to ring the bell, one of my climbing partners encouraged me, telling me to go on and telling me I was nearly there. Those positive words really helped me keep going."

Risha M. said that the sugar gliding activity felt like she was flying and was great fun. “Overall I loved having a whole day filled with trying new things, making new friends and facing your fears.”

The Year 7 Activity Day at Vision Valley was a fantastic opportunity for students to step outside their comfort zones while strengthening teamwork and confidence. By the end of the day, students returned to school with great memories, new friendships and a strong sense of accomplishment from their Year 7 adventure.