Our Middle School cohort has experienced a significant influx of new Academy Members in 2024, with students from across Australia coming to board here at Haileybury Rendall School. Among these newcomers are students hailing from Northern Territory communities such as Kalkarindji, Timber Creek, Borroloola, Minyerri, and Alice Springs, alongside one student coming from the Island of Saibai in the Torres Strait Islands.
The boys have started to build close friendships with our returning Academy Members and so it was fitting to get all our boys on camp together. All our students have started the year off well, with an average attendance rate over 90%, surpassing the national average for students across Australia.
With so many big changes in a small amount of time, our camp served as an opportunity to reward the boys for their great start to the academic year. Additionally, it provided a platform for our seasoned Academy Members to demonstrate what it means to be a ‘Clontarf lad’, showcasing their typically outstanding leadership and behaviour while out in the community.
The camp itinerary was jam packed with activities in Darwin. Given it was the first camp for several of our Academy Members it provided a taste of the fun activities that can occur on camp. Further, it set the foundation for our boys to build towards attending larger-scale camps later in the year, including the 'Top End Cup' in Tennant Creek and the 'Northern Carnival' in Kununurra.
While the primary focus of the camp was encouraging camaraderie and teamwork, there were educational opportunities throughout. Visiting the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility was a highlight for many of our boys. Here they learned about the invaluable contributions made across Australia by the Royal Flying Doctors, along with an interactive experience of the Bombing of Darwin event.
The remainder of the camp incorporated lots of sport, including night-time basketball and football competitions and an early morning training session with the Nightcliff Middle School Clontarf Academy. Healthy habits were consistently reinforced, as our boys learned about the pillars, we aim to incorporate into all of our activities.
Great start to the year boys!
Duane Von Senden
Academy Director
