2015 Year 8 Gold Coast Trip: LCC first trip to the Gold Coast

OUR FIRST TRIP TO GOLD COAST
"He has made everything beautiful in its time"-Ecclesiastes 3:11

On 12th October 2015, 41 students and 4 teachers from Lighthouse Christian College took the step of faith to step foot on the world renowned beach in Gold Coast.
For the next five days, students will experience learning in the natural environment with beautiful scenery as their backdrop of their 'classroom'.

Our Principal, Mrs Howard, speaking and praying for the students before the trip.

Parents bidding farewell to their children

DAY 1

On the 12^th of October the Year 8’s went on the first camp trip to Gold coast, Queensland. Our journey started when we got to school late Sunday night and got onto a bus at 3 am the next morning. We arrived at the airport and checked in our bags, and boarded a plane. We arrived safely and started our activities straight away. We visited Palm Beach and participated in activities that taught us about beach erosion. We visited more Queensland geographical locations like “The Spit” and learnt lots of information from our tour guide, Mr Chris Audley. Our last stop was Binna Burra where we drove up a mountain and saw mountain ranges, an extinct volcano and the city skyline. We all agreed that the views of the Gold Coast were amazing. At the end of the road we got to our camping lodge and got settled in, ate dinner and had an early night.

Report written by Ayichu Wako

Ready to go

Leaving on the jet plane...

Arrival at Gold Coast

Coastal studies

Binna Burra Accommodation

Day 2

On Tuesday 13^th of October the year 8’s went bush walking through the rainforests and eucalyptus forests. We packed our bags with rain coats (most of us), water bottles, snacks and sunscreen. We were split into two groups, both groups took different paths. Our groups made a lot of stops to view the different structures in both types of forests eg. rocks, different types of vegetation and the wildlife. We were coming to the end of a path and decided to turn back to take different routes towards some caves. It started to rain and thunder, so we picked up the pace. The rain drops were massive which made the rain feel heavier. We finally got back into the rainforest and then it started hailing. The hail was heavy and the size was about one-quarter the size of table tennis ball. When it finally stopped hailing, it rained again for about 15 minutes. By the time we got back to camp, most people were soaked. We took a warm shower and had dinner than went to bed. This day has probably been my highlight of the week so far.

Jacob Jarlett

Hike on Dave's Creek

Morning briefing

Crayfish

Rest during 12 km hike

We are almost there

Remembering God's promises

Sharing on anatomy of animals found in Australia

Concentration

Snake found in Dan's home

Day 3

We were split up into 3 groups and participated in activities such as the flying fox, rogaining and the sensory trail, led by Mr Audley, Mr. Blunt and other staff. In orienteering, we had to get into small groups of 3 or more and usethe given maps to locate landmarks. The track was humid and full of life. Even though this activity was very tedious, one group ended up finding all 7 landmarks. After we had all completed our first activity, we had lunch. Although there was a storm passing over us, we waited inside a heritage building and got an inspirational lecture from Mr. Leong. The flying fox was the second activity- it was held in a clearing close to the orienteering course. The flying fox was amazing and everyone enjoyed it. The final activity was the sensory trail- we had to be in pairs, one being blindfolded and walked around a forest with the other partner giving directions. The objective of this activity was to trust your partner and not use our most important sense, sight. When all the activities were completed, we rested a while then had our dinner. We had a barbeque dinner and custard after. While some students cleaned the dishes, the rest listened to Mrs. Donovan as she shared about not using inappropriate language around our friends. We also listened to SIR who talked about his life and Lighthouses ‘safety’ and ‘Protection’. After devotions we had a bonfire outside with marshmallows. We packed our safari tents and slept after the bonfire. Today was by far the most exciting day of our camp at Binna Burra.

Antony Tang

Bird Watching

Only teachers turned up for the early morning adventure

Team building activities

Rogaining

Flying fox

Sensory Trail

Bonfire

Night devotion by Mrs Donovan- Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

Day 4

On the fourth day of our camp, we went to two universities, first being Bond University. Beforehand, we all packed our bags with spare clothes, our hats and sunscreen for the mangroves that we were visiting later on. When we arrived at Bond University we split into two groups, and headed out for a tour around the university. During the tour, we visited the university’s library and other learning facilities. The place was very modern and new. We also gathered much information and gained some insights about what we will go through in the future.

After that tour we headed for Griffith University, the largest university in Gold Coast. This place was very different and unique from the first one. During the tour, Dr Castley and Hayden from the Environmental Studies Faculty, hosted us. We visited a science lab and saw some skeletons and artifacts used for experiments and researches.

After we left Griffith University, we headed out to Jabiru Island for lunch and continued with mangroves studies. We learnt about the importance of mangroves in keeping a balanced ecosystem. In the process, we also learnt to identify different mangrove types.

After the tiring and educational day, we headed out to our new accommodation at Sports Super Centre. When we arrived, we settled in quickly and had our showers before dinner. After we finished dinner, some of us played volleyball while others played in the sand; After a long and exhausting day, we went to sleep early, getting ready for our last but probably the most exciting day in our camp in the Gold Coast.

Benuri Rahinduwa

Last photo before departing Bina Burra national park

Visit to Bond University

Observing a law lecture

Briefing at the library

Dr Castley sharing about programs offered in Griffith University

Hayden sharing his experience as an undergraduate

Lesson on the mangrove swamps

Field studies

I caught a crab

Our last night stay in Gold Coast at Sports Super Camp

To our beloved family and friends in Melbourne: "We will be back tomorrow!"

Day 5

On the last day of camp, we went to the famous Dreamworld. We reached Dreamworld 30 minuts before it opened so that we could go in as soon it opened. We were instructed to get into groups between 3-6 people. We then took as many rides and visited numerous gift shops. We definitely made the best out of our visit to the theme park.

During lunch, we were given lunch coupons so that we could get our favourite set meals from one of the three restaurants. After eating, we continued going on to some other rides that we missed earlier.

At 2 pm, we gathered at the entrance and took many photos and video for remembrance of our trip to this wonderful place. For some who did not have the opportunity to visit the souvenir shop, they were kindly given the last minute opportunity before leaving. After that we got on the mini bus and off to the airport.

We reached the airport at 3 pm and unloaded our luggage at the airport entrance. SIR gave Mr Audley a card and a stuffed toy before check-in. We were reminded to look after our ID cards and boarding passes. After that, we bid farewell to Mr Audley and Mr. Blunt.

After a quick dinner, we broad the plane and flew off at 17:20.

Signing off on Flight JQ445.

Annamarie Rebeiro