Deep Cove Camp

​On the 26th of August 2018, our class of anxious and excited children embarked on a journey to Deep Cove. On this journey we experienced many new and exciting things, from catching Jock Stewart fish, to testing our trust in others. After a boat ride across Lake Manapouri and a bus trip over the Wilmot Pass, we arrived at the Deep Cove School Hostel. The first activity we did  was a trek to Helena Falls. After a confronting reality check, we realised that this wasn’t going to be as easy as we’d first thought. Our tramping boots experienced their first swim in the river, and first coat of mud.
Day Two consisted of us struggling, slipping, falling and crawling our way up to the top of Hanging Valley. It definitely tested our endurance to say the least. I’d say not a single one of us came out unscathed; falling over multiple times each. But the amazing view of Doubtful Sound made all the struggle worth it. For the rest of the day we tested our trust in others by doing the confidence course, and even though some of us came out with bumps and bruises, we still loved it. Next, we went fishing. Below is a  poem to describe Olivia’s personal experience with the fishing we did. Our class, 8AK, were the first class ever to go fishing a total of three times. Everyone except two people caught at least one fish. Olivia was one of the two that didn’t catch a fish.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY - written by  OLIVIA POPPLEWELL
Anticipation coursing through my veins as a jolting fish is spotted.
Eagerly I pull up my line just to be met with disappointment.
 
The one that got away
Frustration fills my mind but then I feel another tug
Once again, I pull up my line only to find myself depressed, as it is attached to someone else’s line
 
The one that got away
“DEAR LORD!” Kate yelled. Praying to God was my last option,
Filled with false hope I let down my line and saw the fish mocking me from inside the glistening water
As we drove away I was ready to jump in with a spear.
 
The one that got away.
Overall it was an awesome experience and we got to do many new things that we hadn’t experienced before. As a class we got to know each other better.

Article written by Lauryn Pinckney and Olivia Popplewell