Camps & Retreats
Outdoor and reflective experiences are a powerful part of student life at Saint Mark’s. Our camps and retreats allow students to step outside the classroom, build independence, and strengthen friendships. These programs are designed to promote teamwork, personal growth, spiritual development, and leadership at every stage of a student’s journey.
Why it matters:
- Builds teamwork, leadership, and resilience
- Encourages communication and reflection
- Develops independence and personal responsibility
- Deepens faith through spiritual connection
Junior School
In Junior School, camps provide students with their first opportunities to experience independence in a supportive and nurturing environment. Designed for students in Years 3–6, these experiences encourage curiosity, confidence and a sense of adventure, while strengthening friendships and teamwork. Through shared activities and new challenges, students begin to develop resilience, responsibility and a growing understanding of themselves and others.
Year 3 Camp
First Steps in Independence
Year 3 Camp is a student’s first overnight experience, designed to gently introduce independence in a safe and nurturing environment. Across two days, students participate in engaging team-building activities that promote cooperation, communication and problem-solving.
By stepping outside their usual routines, students begin to take responsibility for themselves, build confidence and form stronger friendships. Supported closely by staff, each child is encouraged to embrace new challenges, develop resilience and experience the joy of working together.
Why it matters:
- Builds confidence and independence in a supportive setting
- Encourages teamwork and positive communication
- Develops resilience through new experiences
- Nurtures character through shared values
Year 4 Camp
Growing Confidence & Responsibility
Year 4 Camp builds on the foundations of independence and teamwork, offering students greater opportunities to take initiative and step beyond their comfort zones. Through a range of challenge-based and collaborative activities, students develop perseverance, leadership and confidence.
Shared experiences and guided reflection strengthen friendships and encourage students to support one another, as they continue to grow in responsibility and resilience.
Why it matters:
- Strengthens independence and initiative
- Builds collaboration and peer support
- Encourages perseverance and problem-solving
- Reinforces values in action and relationships
Year 5 Camp
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Year 5 Camp is an exciting extended experience that combines outdoor education with rich curriculum connections. Whether through the Gold Rush experience in Bathurst or a visit to Canberra, students engage in immersive, hands-on learning that brings Civics and Citizenship to life.
Alongside these experiences, students continue to build independence, resilience and teamwork. Time away from home encourages greater responsibility, strengthens peer relationships and supports both personal and academic growth.
Why it matters:
- Connects learning to real-world experiences
- Strengthens teamwork and communication
- Builds independence and responsibility
- Encourages thoughtful reflection and values-based learning
Year 6 Camp
Leadership & Preparation for High School
Year 6 Camp is a meaningful and memorable experience that prepares students for the transition to high school. As senior primary students, they are challenged to demonstrate leadership, responsibility and independence in a supportive environment.
Through team-building and leadership activities, students develop initiative, collaboration and confidence. This final Junior School camp strengthens friendships, builds lasting memories and equips students with the skills and mindset needed for the next stage of their journey.
Why it matters:
- Prepares students for greater independence
- Builds leadership and collaboration
- Develops confidence for the transition to high school
- Strengthens character and sense of purpose
Faith & Values
Across all Junior School camps, Christian values are intentionally woven into each experience. Students are guided in their actions, relationships and reflections, encouraging them to grow not only in confidence and capability, but also in character and faith.
Secondary School
In Secondary School, camps and retreats become increasingly meaningful as students grow in independence, identity and purpose. Each experience is thoughtfully designed to support students at key stages of their journey, challenging them to step beyond their comfort zones, deepen their relationships, and reflect on who they are becoming. Through a balance of adventure, reflection and faith, these programs help shape confident, capable and grounded young people prepared for life beyond the College.
Year 7 Camp
Belonging, Confidence & a Strong Start
Year 7 Camp takes place in Term 1 and is designed to support students as they transition into Secondary School life. As students begin a new chapter, this experience helps them settle into a new environment, strengthen connections with their peers and teachers, and build a sense of belonging within the College community.
Through shared activities and new challenges, students begin to develop independence, resilience and confidence. Guided closely by staff, they are encouraged to step beyond their comfort zones, form positive relationships and approach the year ahead with optimism and courage.
This camp plays an important role in laying strong foundations for the Secondary years, helping students feel known, supported and connected from the very beginning.
Why it matters:
- Supports a confident and positive transition into Secondary School
- Builds connection, trust and positive relationships
- Develops early independence and confidence
- Nurtures a strong sense of belonging within the College community
Year 8 Camp
Challenge, Resilience & Outdoor Growth
Year 8 Camp is part of the College’s Outdoor Education Program and invites students to grow through challenge-based learning in an immersive outdoor environment. Building on the foundations established in Year 7, this experience encourages students to become more self-reliant, more resilient and more aware of the strengths they bring to a team.
Through a multi-day expedition experience, students engage in activities that require perseverance, cooperation and problem-solving. As they navigate unfamiliar situations in a natural setting, students learn to communicate effectively, support one another and respond to challenges with courage and determination.
This experience broadens students’ understanding of themselves and others, while helping them develop the confidence to take initiative and contribute positively to their community.
Why it matters:
- Develops resilience through challenge and outdoor experiences
- Strengthens teamwork, communication and peer support
- Builds independence, initiative and problem-solving skills
- Encourages gratitude and awareness of others and the wider community
Year 9 Camp
Courage, Confidence & New Challenges
Year 9 Camp is an annual snow-based experience that offers students a unique opportunity to challenge themselves in a dynamic alpine environment. At this stage of their journey, students are encouraged to embrace new experiences—developing both physical skills and the confidence to persevere through unfamiliar conditions.
Learning to ski requires focus, resilience and a willingness to keep trying. As students support one another and celebrate progress, they strengthen peer relationships and build a strong sense of camaraderie.
This experience encourages students to step beyond their comfort zones, fostering independence, determination and a genuine sense of achievement in a setting that is both challenging and rewarding.
Why it matters:
- Encourages courage in trying new and unfamiliar experiences
- Strengthens relationships through shared challenge and achievement
- Builds perseverance, confidence and personal responsibility
- Fosters a sense of achievement, gratitude and personal growth
Year 10 Camp
Leadership, Responsibility & Personal Growth
Year 10 Camp forms part of the College’s Outdoor Education Program and marks an important step in students’ growth as emerging leaders. As students move toward the senior years, this experience challenges them to draw on the skills they have developed across earlier camps and apply them with greater maturity, responsibility and purpose.
Through an extended outdoor expedition, students participate in challenge-based activities that encourage leadership, teamwork and thoughtful decision-making. In a dynamic and often demanding environment, they are called to persevere, communicate with clarity, and contribute to the wellbeing of the group.
At this stage, the focus extends beyond personal challenge to leadership in action—supporting others, serving the community and growing in confidence and character. Year 10 Camp is a meaningful opportunity for students to reflect on who they are becoming as they prepare for the next phase of their Secondary journey.
Why it matters:
- Develops leadership, initiative and accountability
- Strengthens collaboration, communication and decision-making
- Builds resilience, independence and readiness for the senior years
- Deepens character, service and sense of purpose
Year 12 Retreat
Reflection, Purpose & Preparation
The Year 12 Retreat marks the beginning of students’ final year at the College. Held in Term 4 of Year 11, as students transition into Year 12, this experience provides a meaningful opportunity to pause, reflect and prepare for the important journey ahead.
Aligned with the Stage 6 English Common Module: Texts and Human Experiences, the retreat extends learning beyond the classroom, inviting students to engage with experiences that deepen their understanding of themselves and others.
Across five days, students participate in a carefully designed program that balances academic workshops, reflection and shared experiences. Whether through new activities, group connection or moments of stillness, each aspect of the retreat contributes to a richer understanding of how personal experiences shape meaning and perspective.
The retreat also provides valuable time away from the demands of study—an opportunity for students to reflect on their growth, values and future pathways. Through guided workshops, prayer and reflection, students strengthen their sense of identity, deepen relationships and reconnect with what matters most.
A strong pastoral and spiritual dimension underpins the experience, encouraging students to grow in faith, resilience and purpose as they step into their final year.
As emerging leaders of the College, students are called to model integrity, responsibility and respect. The retreat is both a formative and transformative experience—preparing them to move forward with confidence, clarity and purpose.
Why it matters:
- Provides space for reflection and preparation for the final year
- Strengthens meaningful relationships and shared understanding
- Builds clarity, confidence and personal direction
- Deepens faith, purpose and sense of identity
