Sport

U4 OES - Mt Buller

Last week, our Unit 4 Outdoor and Environmental Studies (OES) students headed to Mt Buller for their three-day ski camp. This camp was a key part of their Unit 4 studies, focusing on the management of natural environments, environmental policies and sustainable development, while giving students the chance to push themselves on the slopes.

Over three days, students participated in ski lessons run by the Mt Buller Ski School. Conditions were challenging, with strong winds, cold temperatures and heavy snowfalls, yet the students met every challenge head-on. Their skiing skills progressed rapidly, from linking turns to even learning how to ski backwards- an impressive achievement for all.

The camp wasn’t just about skiing. Students kept detailed logbooks and explored the work of Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV) and Buller Ski Lifts (BSL) in maintaining Mt Buller as a sustainable destination for years to come. They also delved into important environmental issues, including the impacts of climate change, habitat fragmentation, and the protection of alpine ecosystems and species such as the mountain pygmy possum and fragile alpine grasslands.

What a way to wrap things up! As they approach their graduation, the OES class of 2025 embraced everything Mt Buller threw at them -wild weather, tricky slopes and all - with determination, laughter and plenty of spirit. Between snowflakes, ski turns and the occasional wipe-out, they created memories that will last long after their school days at Sacred Heart.

CAMERON MCGRATH
VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies Teacher
Director of Outdoor Education