SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - Columba College

Year 10 Camp at Doubtful Sound
The Year 10 Camp was held in the second
week of this term at Deep Cove in Doubtful
Sound, using the Deep Cove Youth Adventure
Trust Hostel as a base for the second year in a
row. Once again, because of the 44 person limit
on the boat and bus which transport the
students from Manapouri to Deep Cove, we had
to split the three Year 10 classes into two
groups and, luckily, each girl was able to be
placed in the group of her choice. The first
group, led by Ms Riethmaier, with Ms Sharma,
Miss Page, Emma Fone and parents (Ms S.
Aitken, Mrs A. Johnston, Mr G. McCaw, Mr M.
Cowie, Mr A. Keen and Dr M. Furlong), left
Columba at 6.30a.m. on Sunday, 29th April and
returned early in the evening on Wednesday,
2nd May, having crossed paths with the second
group at West Arm on the far side of Lake
Manapouri. The second group, led by Mrs
West, with Mr Mains and Miss Kerr and parents
(Mrs J. Alloo, Mrs L. Duckett, Mrs M. Noone,
Mrs H. Newton and Dr D. Barker), returned to
Columba in the evening on Saturday, 5th May.
Two Tutors from Adventure Southland, Emily
and Darren, attended both camps and were
invaluable in organising and supervising the
outdoor programme as well as the evening
activities. John Carter, now a Nature Guide with
“Real Journeys”, also volunteered an evening to
give the girls at each camp an insight into the
ecology of the area.
We were very lucky with the weather for the
entire week and were able to carry out all the
activities as planned. These included a visit to
the Manapouri underground power station,
tramps and bush walks, a stream study
assessment task to be banked for NCEA Level
1, night walks, team-building activities, fishing
and a cruise on Doubtful Sound, during which
both groups were treated to a spectacular
display by the pod of sixty dolphins which live in
the Sound. Girls also made good use of their
art packs to sketch the stunning scenery.
Both camps were very successful and we
commend all the Year 10 girls on their
enthusiasm, courtesy and willingness to
participate in all activities. They were a
pleasure to be with and seemed to genuinely
appreciate the opportunity to spend a few
days in this remote, pristine area. We are
also very grateful to the parents who gave
their time to join us and without whose help it
would not be possible to run such camps.
The final word should go to Ava Atkinson-
Barclay whose poem, written on the back
cover of her sketch pad, captures the
essence of the camp.
Jenness Riethmaier
Teacher in Charge of the Year 10 Camp
As we drive away from here,
This place where worlds met,
We’ll chat and talk and laugh about
Those things we will forget.
Fishing, walking, playing cards;
Tramping, even when ‘twas real hard;
Drawing and doing stream study;
Getting wet and dirty.
Remember when, in the cold, we walked,
And even when told off, we talked and talked;
So much to say, so much to share.
But there’ll be no urgency once we leave here.
The simple fact’s not hard to figure –
Without the hostel, without the rigour
We drift apart, segregate
To only our closest friends we relate.
But right now, we’re having fun.
We’ll sit down and talk to anyone.
We don’t stare ‘cos we don’t care.
Birds and laughter all we hear.
We’re out walking in single file
Butter chicken could be a while
But Ms Riethmaier’s working the stove-
We are here, we’re in Deep Cove.
Ava Atkinson-Barclay
Columba College, Private Bag 1911, 399 Highgate, Dunedin 9054
Ph: (03) 467 5188 Fax: (03) 464 0418 e-mail: admin@columbacollege.school.nz www.columbacollege.school.nz