Class 11B Blackwood River Camp

Term 2 has begun and the opportunities for our students to engage in outdoor learning keep coming. Last week the class of 11B undertook an expedition-style journey of canoeing and hiking along Gorbilyup (the Blackwood River), from Sue’s Bridge campground to Chapman’s Pool. The students came together in their small camp communities to cook, clean, hike, paddle, set-up camp and support each other to overcome the challenges of the week. The active participation and cooperation shown throughout the week is a testament to the students and their character.

Hopefully the students will be able to lean on both this experience and each other to overcome the challenges that they will face in the next 18 months.

I would like to extend a special thanks to Chauna Lutman, Georgia Treloar and Jack Hall for all of the support and assistance they provided the students, as well as the staff from Outdoor Discoveries, for making this camp such a success.

This week sees Gosia's Class 5 students heading over to Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) on a cycling adventure to study the island's botany. I wish them a wonderful week and look forward to hearing the stories when they return.

Josh Huitson
Outdoor Education Coordinator

Year 11 & 12 Photography Class

Class 11 & 12 Sculpture Class

Joy Foster
High School Sculpture Teacher

Class 12 Projects

Kaliyah Lochrie

When it became time to think about my Project this year, I discovered I didn't need to look any further than my own back yard.   

With the increasing awareness that my generation is facing challenges in affordable housing, I wondered whether tiny houses or backyard dwellings could really offer a solution to the housing crisis and how affordable and sustainable were they. It's clear they occupy less space, cost less to build and maintain, and leave a smaller carbon footprint.  With over 640,000 households across Australia struggling and often paying over 30% of their income on their housing, finding solutions has become really important. So, when it was time to figure out what to do for my project, it was perfect. I could use the shed in my backyard and turn it into a small dwelling while researching sustainable building options. 

My interest initially focused on converting a neglected shed into a space I could live in. However, as I looked further, I found myself interested in the idea of living sustainably within limited means and wondered how affordable it is to live sustainably. Thinking about living sustainably sounds like it should also be affordable, but what I am discovering, unfortunately, is that the most sustainable options are not always the most cost-effective .I ended up being more passionate about sustainability and affordability, this led me to my question; 

‘What is the process required to sustainably create/renovate a Tiny House within an affordable budget?’

I have had many eye-opening steps on my initial building process - beginning enthusiastically (which is often the case I'm told). However, reality struck when I confronted the limitations of the space and had to revaluation of my design plans. This has been influenced by my wish to up-cycles and re-use as much as I can. So far, I have really enjoyed going to the salvage yard and looking at all the furniture they have. I have gotten an old 1950s kitchenette and a kitchen storage/bench from a similar time. I have also gotten a wooden bed with storage and a few other appliances second hand. I will also try to get second-hand solar panels and insulation to both reduce costs and make it more sustainable. 

I have found while researching that there are many different types of solar panels. Originally, I thought they could only be mounted to roofs, but I found out there are three different ways to mount solar panels. There is ground mounted, pole mounted, roof mounted. A roof mounted is the most common choice for houses, simply being attached to the north side of the house to absorb the solar energy as the sun moves through the sky. Pole mounted solar panels are fixed to the end of a pole, some can be adjusted to get the maximum amount of sun. Then the ground mounted solar panels which particularly interested me. They are fixed to a metal frame that can range from just above the ground, to tall enough for a person to stand underneath. Being fixed the way they are gives the option to make them rotate during the day, so they follow the sun across the sky. I found the mechanics on how they worked quite interesting. 

I am still in the early stages of my Practical but my research for my report is helping me to make good decisions in building my future home.