By Mrs Rebecca Hunter, Head of Year 9

There was a feeling of excitement and trepidation among the group of Year 9 students as they headed off to Cooleman High Plains for 8 days of hiking, canoeing and caving. Their journey was not an easy one, and in little more than a week they experienced challenging hikes, strong wind, rain and even snow.

Radford collegians often mention that the Year 9 camp holds some of the most significant memories of their time at school, and I suspect that this year's cohort will be dining out on stories from the camp for many years to come.

What is most important about the outdoor education experience is the significant level of self-learning which is achieved by every student. They have gained an insight into their own capabilities, levels of resilience and learned that they should never limit themselves from achieving their goals, even when faced with challenges.

They've also discovered that their bodies are capable of so much more than they think, and that if they can conquer hills on a mountain, they can overcome the fear of an oral presentation or peak assessment period.

I am extremely proud of the Year 9 students' tenacity and grit. They persevered despite the weather and tough conditions, and have returned home stronger than before (despite the blisters).