Camps, Retreats & Immersions

School camps, retreats and immersions are an integral and meaningful part of any student’s learning experience. They help young people to build resilience, confidence, social skills and self-sufficiency beyond the classroom and traditional school environments.

During their time at Mercy Regional College students attend a variety of camps, retreats and immersions. Apart from year level activities, the College offers multiple opportunities for trips and excursions in areas including social justice, science, outdoor education and environmental studies.

Year Level Camps & Retreats

Year 7 Camp is a two night, three day camp at Campaspe Downs in Kyneton. The camp is aimed at focusing on developing the students’ love for the outdoors and for nature, while also working with teachers/group leaders to facilitate specific learning outcomes for their students, whether that be resilience, independence, relationship building or fun! The camp is held in the first few weeks of Term 1 to help build connections with their peers for a seamless start to life as a Mercy student.

Year 8 Camp is also a two night, three day camp which is focused on building the students’ resilience prior to moving into Year 9 and transferring to the McAuley campus for the following year. The camp is held at the YMCA Discovery Camp in Anglesea in Term 4, this is an outdoor camping adventure where students aim to work together in completing a range of activities including beach, bush and team building endeavors.

Year 9 Camp is a two-night trip to Melbourne where students participate in a workshop run by the Reach Foundation. They visit a social enterprise, such as HoMie to see how business can make an impact in society. As part of familiarising themselves with Melbourne CBD they visit well known landmarks such as the state library and the Victoria Markets, all while learning the public transport systems of Melbourne. They get to go ice skating, rock climbing and visit MSAC and Skydeck.

Year 10 Retreat is an overnight experience in Anglesea. Students participate in high ropes, low ropes, bike riding and stand-up paddle boarding, as well as hear from engaging guest speakers.

Year 11 Camp focuses on developing job related skills that would be beneficial for future employment. The mini-courses that students will participate in include RSA (Responsible Serving of Alcohol), Safe Food Handling and a Barista course.

Year 12 Retreat is a two-night experience in Cave Hill creek where students reflect on their time at Mercy Regional College and recharge emotionally in preparation for the last year of school.

Immersions

The College offers optional interstate and overseas immersion experiences.

Central Australia Experience

Availability: Biennially, September
Participants: Year 9 & 10 students
Description: The camping trip takes students to Coober Pedy, Kings Canyon, Uluru, and Alice Springs.

France & Belgium Battlefields Tour

Availability: Triennially, September
Participants: Year 9 – 12 students
Description: This experience is unique to Mercy and holds a special place in our history. Participants visit the sights of Paris, the battlefields of France and Belgium from the Great War of 1914-18 providing an opportunity for our students to walk in the footsteps of the generations that came before us. The trip finishes in London where participants visit some major historic sights.

Kimberley Immersion

Availability: Annually, October
Participants: Year 8 students
Description: The immersion provides an opportunity for students to grow relationships and engage with an Indigenous Australian community through students at partner schools in Katherine, Halls Creek or Kununurra.

Cambodia Immersion

Availability: Biennially, March
Participants: Year 10 & 11 students
Description: Students learn to become greater global citizens through service and justice. They immerse into the culture of Cambodia and travel to Siem Reap to participate in social outreach work.

New Caledonia Immersion

Availability: Triennially, June/July
Participants: Year 9, 10 & 11 students studying French
Description: Students build on their French language skills through full immersion in French culture and language.

"At Mercy Regional College we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of our school community. We strive to create a culturally safe environment for all students, staff, and community members. We recognise that everyone has unique cultural backgrounds and experiences that should be respected and celebrated. We are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive space where individuals feel valued, heard, and supported."

Mercy Regional College