Moonbah
Official Opening of the High Country Campus Expansion and the Year 9 Moonbah Program
Last Saturday marked the Official Opening of the High Country Campus Expansion and the Year 9 Moonbah Program, and what a fantastic day it was! The sun was shining, the mountains put on their best show, and the sense of pride and excitement from students, staff, families and guests was truly heartwarming. It was a celebration of vision, teamwork and the deep belief in the power of place-based, transformative learning.
The event featured a formal Plaque revealing, heartfelt speeches, a Q&A with Aimee Kang and Elliot Taylor, a lovely poem by Ada Grossman, and guided tours that showcased the incredible facilities and the unique learning experiences on offer.
Visitors explored new spaces that will support adventure, reflection, creativity and community – all central ideas of the Moonbah experience. There was a real buzz in the air as guests got a glimpse into what makes the program so special. A huge thank you goes to all the staff who worked tirelessly to bring the event together – from logistics to hospitality, and everything in between. Your dedication and attention to detail made the day seamless and welcoming for all.
Special mention also goes to our amazing student tour guides, who led guests with confidence, knowledge and pride. Their passion and poise were the best possible reflection of the values we aim to foster at Moonbah.
The expansion of the High Country Campus and the continued growth of the Year 9 Moonbah Program represent an exciting new chapter. Saturday’s event reminded us of all the incredible impact this program has on young people and the strong community that supports it.
We look forward to all that lies ahead – and we’re so grateful to everyone who helped make the opening such a memorable success.
Parent Reflections on the Official Opening and their Child’s Learning Experience
“It was very special to attend the official opening of the High Country Campus. Our daughter Amélie was very enthusiastic and proud to show us around. As much as she enjoyed the parent weekend and spending time with the family again, she was also very excited about the remaining three weeks at Moonbah. She particularly loves the (slower) pace at Moonbah. Living on country, surrounded by beautiful nature, she feels less pressure. She also feels that the 90-minute classes result in a more relaxed roster and allow more time for a deeper understanding and reflection.” By the Wichgers family.
“As a new family to Redlands we feel so lucky to have had our daughter Maddie experience a term at Moonbah. The parent weekend was so special to see the whole Moonbah campus and the amazing facilities that Maddie currently calls home. It was also beautiful to take Maddie out for the two whole days and spend time with her and also continually bump into her new friends and their families. We are so grateful for this experience for Maddie and are so impressed with the care, support and guidance the staff at Moonbah provide for this once in a lifetime experience.” By the Bryan Family.
We had a great visit down south, spending much anticipated quality time with Fin and getting the chance to be on-country at HCC to see first-hand the environment he and his classmates have been so fortunate to call home these past six weeks. On the drive home, Mareshell and I reflected on how the Moonbah experience is such an incredible opportunity. We have no doubt that Fin is growing into a more independent, resilient and self-aware 14-year-old through living and learning away from home. One of the reflections Fin shared with us was the discovery of his preferred learning style – he is most energised with hands-on, experiential learning that aligns with a clear end-goal or outcome. Creating this out-of-classroom opportunity has opened his eyes to a range of new learning experiences and that learning isn’t always just from a textbook.
We also wanted to say a big thank you to Eddy and the entire HCC Moonbah team who we have a great deal of confidence in and appreciate the level of care and support they are providing Fin. By the Drumm Family.
Arav’s feedback has been quite straightforward. He is enjoying the experience, especially the bonds being created with this cohort. The structure that is being provided suits him, so we don’t feel it has been a difficult adjustment for him. Yes, he misses his home and family, but it seems he understands that this is a unique opportunity to create deeper connections with his friends, the school, the township and nature in general. No mention of devices, which for him wasn’t a big deal in the first place, but an adjustment, nevertheless. He loves the food, the routine, the discipline that is being instilled. We also got a lot of detail on the snowy hydro program, which suggests that learning is happening. From our perspective, this program has helped confirm that Redlands was the right choice for our kids. It’s a valuable point of difference and the School should be proud of what has been set up here. Well done to you all and thank you! By the Basu Family.
Visit to the Conscious Crop
On Tuesday, the two Paddock to Plate classes enjoyed an excursion to the Conscious Crop, a local closed loop vegetable and flower farm. The students really enjoyed the tour of the farm. We learned about composting of local organic waste, companion planting and pest management using competitor insects. It was great to walk through the tube greenhouse and learn some valuable lessons to apply to the development of our own greenhouse. We also looked at the regenerative farming practices being utilised on the wider property. We harvested potatoes from the farm and our chefs steamed some to enjoy with afternoon tea – we were amazed by the taste of freshly harvested spud!
Eddy Atkins
Head of High Country Campus
eatkins@redlands.nsw.edu.au