A life-changing experience
“Less phone, more family”
Some are no longer slaves to their phones; others are choosing to share their lives more with their families; one is doing yoga, two have taken up crochet, another goes on a daily trail run.
Many feel more independent, including doing their own washing and laundry. One boy took his whole family to visit the site of a six-day camp at Pretty Beach, near Bawley Point.
These are among the changes, as reported by Year 10 students, that have been inspired by spending a term in Year 9 at Trinity’s Field Studies Centre (FSC) on the NSW south coast.
Students gather back at the Summer Hill campus the following term, along with FSC staff, to reconnect, share memories, and reflect on what it all meant and how it might have changed things.
After lunch in the Dining Hall some 60 boys gather in four groups on the Quad to catch up with each other, new friends and old, take part in a debrief, and relive some good times.
Their observations on life since the Year 9 camp provide important feedback – to staff and each other.
“I’m spending more time connecting to my family.”
“I’m not on my phone as much or spending so much time by myself.”
“I feel more independent.”
“I exercise every day.”
“I’m going out more and spending more time outdoors.”
“I’m on my phone a lot less and finding I don’t need it.”
“I find it easier to talk to my family.”
“I’m more open with my family; I tell them about my day.”
“I feel more responsible in life, with the ability to do things on my own (initiative).”
“It was almost boring coming back to school.”
“It’s nice to have my family around me again, but it’s nice to know I can rely on myself when they’re not around.”
“I don’t use my phone nearly as much.”
“I’ve started making my bed at home.”
Their advice to future Year 9 students includes: “Enjoy it while it lasts”; “enjoy the moment”; “have a good mindset”; and “it’s less stressful down there”.
In one group, one student felt a full term at the FSC was a bit long; another wanted more free time.
But when asked if they would like to do it again, every hand shot up.
This article originally appeared in our June 2024 Edition of Trinity News which you can view on our online digital bookshelf.
