If it’s to be. It’s up to me

In October this year, 11 BHS students set off on eight days of hiking through the northern Flinders Ranges, at a station called Yankaninna with teachers Josh Jenner and Michelle Pudney. This year, due to recent rains, the rocky terrain was painted with a green array of native flora. Equipped with hiking bags, the boys scaled mountains, abseiled, prepared their meals on a campfire and, most importantly, learnt about themselves and others.

The experience allows the connection between students to grow stronger every day, as they learn new skills and valuable life lessons such as resilience, collaboration, courage, kindness and importance of goal setting. Some of the highlights this year include sleeping under the stars, learning how to camp in the bush, swimming in deep waterholes, interacting with the wildlife and meeting the locals.

This program also provides further opportunities for participants to apply to become Peer Group Mentors.  This program empowers students to continue to develop their leadership skills and further their study in Outdoor Education; be actively involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and the chance to meet job service providers, complete resumes, do mock interviews and prepare for job readiness.

Jack May participated this year and shared these thoughts once he returned, ‘Op Flinders was an amazing experience, I learnt how to push through the pain and that mental strength is just as important as physical strength. The program made me think about the things we take for granted and now I will have a deeper respect for the things we are given. The best thing was the pride I felt when we had completed an activity and developing relationships with people I never thought I would have. I would recommend Op Flinders because it was a life changing experience and helped me become a better person.’

We are very proud of the students involved this year and we would like to acknowledge Jack May, Jaxon Amos, Ryan Backhouse, Dylan Hale, Matthew Oliver, Matthew Rivett, Braedyn Walker-Ramsay, Cooper Wright, Nate Roberts, Seth Pascoe and Tyler McBride who accepted this tough challenge and we are looking forward to seeing where their futures take them.  Next year we will be looking for sponsors to help ensure the longevity of this program.  Contact us at the school if you’d like to be involved in helping make a difference I the lives of our students.