It was a great trip, starting with the Victoria Markets and then the football. The game was fantastic except that the Eagles had a bad first quarter and never recovered. The game was still great to watch and it was great to finally get to watch our team play.
The group meeting on the first night before going into the Crown Casino complex for dinner.
In Melbourne, we visited the Victoria Markets which meant taking a nice walk across the Yarra to the Tram on Elizabeth St. Interesting what students like to buy? After this we went to the football and Jason showed his true colours.
On Sunday morning we set off early for the drive up the mountain. A few students stayed up a lit late the night before so it was a very quiet trip for the first two hours. It was also interesting to see what students will carry with them on such a long trip.
Once we arrived, everyone had a quick introduction to life at the top of a mountain. We had snow everywhere and a pleasant -2°C.
All students were told not to throw snowballs or get wet before we got to our accommodation so they wouldn't get too cold. Unfortunately some people just won't listen.
Dinner is early each night but there was a great atmosphere as we all looked forward to a great days skiing to come.
Students settled into their rooms and played cards and other games. At 7:30 we had our first of many meetings to go through procedures for the following day.
There is a ton of snow up on the mountain and we had a great day skiing on Monday with most kids progressing far enough to be able to ski home. Mr Beecham was a model of perseverence coming down the mountain, crashing for three quarters of the trip down before finally walking the last bit.
Tuesday is very windy and we are restricted to one run only, so most of us are taking a rest and playing in the snow around the chalet. The boys set up a jump at the side of the chalet and are still learning to board while having a lot of fun. Raki was great with the shovel setting it up for everyone.
Raki (left), Ashley (above, sore ankles so just watching on), Caleb (bottom left) and Jackson after taking the jump (below)
Nic was showing great form (he came last year so is a bit more advanced). Riley (below) was a great jumper, but the landings left a bit to be desired.
Most of the boys practised, but the girls were more into playing in the snow and making snow models.
Elke asked me not to take any photos of her since her hair wasn't perfect, but who could resist this opportunity.
They have had so much snow the last few days that Naralle asked for some help shovelling it off the tables and entrance. It was great to see Sam, Ash and Ellen get involved and they were all paid for their effort. On the other hand others (who had to pay for losing their key) chose to dig in the snow instead and accept the financial loss.
Many people think skiing is dangerous, but at least when you fall on the snow you don't get gravel rash, unlike when you fall off a skate board the day before our ski trip.
The weather on Wednesday was again windy, so the lessons started out in the Gully area again. We managed to get all the students there with a minimum of fuss and no wasted energy. By the end of their lessons, they opened the Falls Express again along with a couple more lifts. This meant that everyone had places to ski so we stayed out for nearly the whole day.
It was extremely windy on top of the mountain but it was great to see most students having a good time and getting in a lot of practise.
Sam's reaction to the Eagles losing. On the right we have the photo booth outside Spencer Street Station. It is always interesting to see students with so much technology in their hands, still can't go past the opportunity to have an old fashioned photo with their friends. Outside the Crown Casino the Gargoil was an interesting diversion. The drum man on the corner is also a great attraction. the sounds he makes out of other people's rubbish is inspirational.
The best weather and conditions were served up on the last day and fortunately for the older members of the group, the rest during the week meant that we had plenty of energy left to take advantage of the conditions.
Students were able to go all over the mountain by this stage and everyone had a great day.
Thanks must be given to all the staff and parents for their dedication and assistance.
The 2011 Margaret River High School Ski Group
The staff Dave, Bruce, (Liam), Rosie, Robyn, Merv, Geoff and Paul.
The highlight of the whole trip for many of the girls, both from our school and the two other schools on our plane, was to see Hayden, from Master Chef, at the airport. Elke thought if was her best holiday ever and Mr Darby overheard one of the girls from Ocean Reef saying that it was the best day of her life.
I wonder in a couple of years time if anyone will even remember who that guy was standing with Cailin, Danielle and Elke.