District office Presentation

Mr Des Prismic of the Camp School asked if a group of Dampier children could make a presentation to the Pilbara District Office staff on the topic, Sam Ostojich: Individual Achievement or Group Endeavour. After giving some thought on how to tackle this and with whom, I gathered a group of ten students together from four different year levels. They had all spoken passionately about Sam at some point and this had stuck in my memory. We had two short sessions together, working out what we would say. There would be no notes, just a lead in question from me, as we presented our thoughts, memories and response to various events and activities to do with Sam.

It worked out very well indeed. The children were quite relaxed and able to relate their stories and memories with conviction and humour. Some talked about their prior knowledge of Sam, others about their excursion to the island in 2004, our shock at his death in 2005 and involvement at his funeral, the production of the book “King of his Castle” and the Retrospective Exhibition, how the island is being looked after at the present and our Sam Ostojich Resilience Award. It gave the audience a true understanding of how our school and community work hand in hand, celebrating small and large achievements and rejoicing in our history while acknowledging one of the unique characters who contributed to it.

Well done, kids!

As a thank you for our efforts, Mr Prismic invited us to participate in a rafting activity at the end of the term and we jumped at the chance! It was a perfect day, hot but not unbearably so, the sea dead calm and the water just a perfect temperature. Mr Prismic gave us a quick demo of lashing but from then on, we were on our own.

We could use as much of the available material as we wanted. Mrs Gray and Mrs Evans joined Mrs Mitchell in the formidable Sea Witches crew. The kid's teams were Jolly Roger and Beachbreakers.

The Sea Witches were first to finish their craft and used the most materials (and lashing, which we paid for at the end of the activity). Although we tried valiantly, we just couldn't head the Jolly Roger crew, not even after a rematch. There was some talk of skullduggery in this near collision.

But Jolly Roger were the clear winners, with Seawitches a valiant second.

The Beachbreakers 'broke' up and were unable to finish the race.

Mr Prismic and his Camp School cook treated us to the 'best' sandwiches, everyone went for seconds, even the ladies. Thanks Mr Prismic, we had a beaut time!