Moonbah
This week I spent time engaging in the Moonbah program, immersing myself as if I were a Year 9 student. For my reflection, I decided to sit with the students as they engaged in Wellness Wednesday, penning letters to their friends and family back home. So, here’s my letter that I’m sending back to Redlands:
Dear Redlands,
What a wonderful week I have had at Moonbah where students are being challenged, are thriving, and truly owning their little community. The bonds they have formed with their peers are clearly special. At dinnertime, excited chatter fills the air. There’s laughter, moments of reflection and a resounding appreciation for the delicious meals being served. I’m amazed at the way the Duty Group comes together to complete their tasks, almost wordlessly now, taking plates, scraping them clean, washing and loading dishwashers with a grin. The sense of shared responsibility is evident.
I had several highlight moments this week. On Monday evening students performed karaoke, a lively rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody had all student’s chorusing together, linked arm-in-arm and swaying as they belted, We Are the Champions.
On Tuesday I got stuck into a day of learning. During the morning ballet class, students carried out their training against the backdrop of the rising sun filtering through the gum trees. Just as we all held an arabesque, a large wallaby bounded past.
In the first session of the day, students engaged in electives – some were planning out their very impressive menu for ‘Plate of Origin’, designing posters and researching the tools needed to serve food to up to 70 guests. Other students were creating videos paying homage to the Australian outback – there were plenty of mateship motifs being explored. The afternoon trip to collect soil samples was educational – students were able to tell me all about the types of sediment in their water samples and were easily able identify the flora and fauna around us.
The growth in these students is real. They mention, time and time again, how much they love it here – that they don’t miss the fast pace of Sydney and aren’t longing for their phones. This is uninterrupted time to get to know their true selves, and they are embracing it wholeheartedly.
I look forward to returning again soon!
Mrs Lucienne Willis
The Moonbah Learning Program continues to provide a rich academic environment, ensuring students remain engaged with their learning while also developing crucial social and emotional skills through residential living.
Students in the Visionary Ventures program have been deeply engaged in research, planning and problem-solving to address local environmental challenges in the Snowy Monaro region. Their focus has been on tackling invasive species such as tussock weed and the growing deer population, both of which pose significant threats to native ecosystems. Through collaboration with local experts and field studies, students are developing innovative and practical solutions, enhancing their critical thinking and environmental stewardship. This hands-on approach to learning is empowering students to become proactive changemakers, demonstrating their ability to apply knowledge and research to real-world ecological issues.
Students in the Snowy STEM elective have been applying their mathematical and scientific skills in real-world contexts at the High Country Campus. As part of their studies, students have used shadows, similar triangles and right-angled trigonometry to estimate the height of trees on campus. They have also explored different techniques to estimate the area of the campus, combining traditional pen-and-paper calculations with modern technological tools. By creating traverse surveys using scale maps, students have gained hands-on experience in cartography and spatial analysis.
Building on these skills, students have developed contour maps by recording elevation points across campus using their iPads. They critically assessed the accuracy of elevation data, refining their understanding of ratio, scale and mapping techniques to create detailed, enlarged contour maps. Students have also modelled physical phenomena on campus, such as sunrise and sunset times, using trigonometric curves and digital technologies. Through this, they explored the real-life applications of predicting daylight hours, calculated the period and amplitude of these curves, and observed how the 12-month cycle aligns with their calculated period. Additionally, they discussed the limitations of trigonometric models in precisely predicting sunrise and sunset times, analysing potential sources of variation.
These mathematical and scientific skills will come together in an upcoming 3D diorama/model of the High Country Campus. Students will apply their knowledge of scales, ratios, and contour mapping to construct a realistic representation of the campus, including the latest buildings on site. Looking ahead, we hope to launch an exciting geocaching ‘Amazing Race’ challenge around campus before the end of the term – giving students a chance to apply their STEM skills in a fun and interactive way!
A Digital Detox That Fosters Growth: The Power of Our Phone-Free High Country Campus
In a world where screens dominate daily life, High Country Campus stands as a refreshing retreat – an environment where students disconnect from devices and reconnect with themselves, their peers and the natural world. By removing the distractions of smartphones, we’ve created a space that fosters deeper relationships, richer learning experiences and greater personal growth. The results have been remarkable, with students displaying increased focus, resilience and confidence in their interactions.
Research consistently supports the benefits of reduced screen time, particularly for young people. Studies have shown that excessive phone use can contribute to anxiety, reduced attention spans and disrupted sleep. In contrast, when students step away from their devices, they experience improved mental well-being, stronger social connections and enhanced academic engagement. At our campus, we see these firsthand as students are more present, more engaged in discussions and more willing to challenge themselves outside their comfort zones. The absence of screens allows for the presence of deeper conversations, meaningful friendships and an increased appreciation for the world around them.
Parents often express concerns about how a phone-free environment will impact their child, but the feedback from our students and their families tells a compelling story. Students return home with a newfound confidence, a greater ability to self-regulate their emotions and an appreciation for real-world experiences over virtual ones. They rediscover the joy of face-to-face conversations, outdoor exploration and uninterrupted learning. In a setting free from digital distractions, they develop life skills that will serve them well beyond their time at Moonbah – resilience, independence and the ability to truly engage with the world.
Our phone-free approach isn’t about taking something away – it’s about giving students an experience they won’t find anywhere else.
We invite families to embrace this opportunity, knowing that in the absence of screens, something far more valuable is taking root: a deep and lasting connection to learning, to nature and to each other. We would strongly suggest that parents leave their child’s mobile phone in Sydney during the Parent Visit Weekend to continue the phone-free approach of Moonbah and allow them to fully engage with you over the weekend.
Maintaining the Moonbah Momentum: Mastering Mindful Media Webinar
Led by Dr Jocelyn Brewer
Audience: Term 1 Moonbah Parents and Carers
Monday 7 April 7.00pm – 7.40pm
The Moonbah Program has transformed our Year 9 students’ relationship with technology through an immersive ten-week ‘digital detox’ experience at the High Country Campus.
This webinar bridges the gap between the Moonbah’s tech-free context and sustainable digital habits at home, focusing on helping parents support their children’s newfound independence and self-awareness.
We will explore the Digital Nutrition philosophy, examine the three critical psychological needs of competence, connection and control, and provide practical strategies for creating meaningful technology boundaries.
Parents will learn how to leverage their child’s increased maturity, develop deeper communication strategies and establish conscious tech habits that maintain the personal growth achieved during the Moonbah experience.
The session aims to empower families to rethink technology’s role in their lives, moving beyond mindless consumption to intentional, supportive digital interactions.
This Zoom Webinar will be recorded for those who can’t attend live and will be available for 60 days after the event.
Eddy Atkins
Head of High Country Campus
eatkins@redlands.nsw.edu.au