Moonbah

After a week and a half at Moonbah, students have comfortably settled into their daily routines and adjusted well to the new environment. A typical Monday to Friday at Moonbah looked like this:

6.45 am – Wake up
7:00 am – Fitness and Wellbeing
8:00 am – Breakfast
8:45 am – 4:00 pm – Moonbah Learning Activities
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Cocurricular activities / Free Time
6:00 pm – Dinner
7:00 pm – 8:30pm – Night Activity
9:30 pm – Bedtime

Students have enjoyed their morning fitness and wellbeing sessions, embracing the opportunity to start the day with energy and focus. Many have made great use of the small fitness room on campus, developing healthy routines and building confidence. The sessions have fostered a positive atmosphere, promoting both physical health and mental wellbeing.

They have been exploring the extended campus as part of the Environmental Learning Project (ELP). They’ve enjoyed visiting sites like The Dam and The Summit, where they collected data on plant and animal species, took meteorological readings, and gathered soil and water samples for classroom analysis such as pH, conductivity, moisture levels and microscopic life. This is a long-term project, over many Moonbah groups, examining the human impact and management of the land.

Through Moonbah Echoes, students have reflected on their personal journeys before delving into the history and culture of the Ngarigo people, the traditional custodians of this land. They have designed their own Lore tree which looks at family traditions and customs.

This week, students in the Paddock to Plate elective have been deepening their understanding of sustainability, comparing their carbon footprint at HCC to their footprint in Sydney. Excitingly, some of the seeds they planted last week have already begun to sprout! Meanwhile, in Plate of Origin, students successfully completed a Food Handling Certificate and put their skills to the test by making a variety of dampers.

The Bush to Big Screen students have been creatively developing their storyboards by drawing inspiration from the unique objects, animals and experiences found around campus. They’ve transformed everyday encounters into engaging visual narratives, showcasing their growing storytelling skills. Each storyboard reflects their deepening connection to the environment, blending imagination with real-life observations. The process has encouraged thoughtful reflection and collaboration, resulting in original and meaningful stories.

Students have been developing their independence, taking charge of managing their own schedules and ensuring they are in the right place at the right time. Additionally, they have been responsible for maintaining cleanliness in shared spaces, contributing to a positive and respectful communal living experience.

Eddy Atkins
Head of High Country Campus
eatkins@redlands.nsw.edu.au