23 October 2025
On Friday 17 October, Year 1 students arrived at Palm House Oval with their siblings and parents to set up tents for the much-anticipated annual sleepover. Within an hour, the oval had transformed into a small village of tents and swags, each one representing a Year 1 family ready to share in the adventure.
The evening began with a barbecue cooked by the Junior School Leadership Team, where families gathered to eat, chat, and play games in anticipation of their night at school. As dusk settled, students rotated through camping-inspired activities—learning to tie knots commonly used on camping trips, making a dessert in the form of a campfire on a biscuit, and contributing a handprint and log to the communal campfire collage symbolising unity and community.
As the last light disappeared, families reached for their torches to embark on a night walk through the campus, pausing to take in Memorial Hall and the Arch of Remembrance before converging on The Secret Garden, where 500 glow sticks lay awaiting their arrival.
The evening concluded back at ‘Base Camp’ with dessert and hot chocolate, followed by a rather silly rendition of Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book by Julia Donaldson, performed by the teachers. To finish, each family received a bedtime storybook—a memento of their shared experience—before retiring to their tents for the night.
The sleepover was more than just an overnight stay; it was an experience that strengthened the sense of belonging across the Year 1 cohort. Families, students, and staff came together to celebrate connection, courage, and the joy of shared experiences.
Robert Adcock
Year Level Coodinator – Year 1
