Power of 9

The Challenge

Study is undertaken at the Marieville Esplanade campus and challenges students academically, physically, socially and cognitively. Students are given the opportunity to engage in controlled risk taking and to learn more about working effectively as part of a team. The skills that are developed are:

• Flexibility
• Tolerance
• Problem-solving
• Resourcefulness
• Self-reliance and independence
• Teamwork

Each Challenge occurs at a different time during the year and consists of two phases:

1. The Experience
2. The Expedition

The Experience

The Experience is a series of specific experiential learning activities built around a number of specific themes:

• Life skills – developing the resilience, planning, and teamwork skills necessary to make decisions and take responsibility for one’s actions
• Spirituality – exploring the spiritual dimension, about belief and faith, the power of stillness and silence and approaching the ‘big questions’ of life
• Leadership – developing the skills to make the world a better place, being prepared to lead and be led
• Personal management – developing the skills in personal organisation, domestic life, physical and mental health and careers to act with confidence as one faces major transitions in life
• Values learning – examining core values and the importance of relationships that underpin a life of purpose
• Environmental awareness – critically evaluating individual and community behaviour so communities can develop and manage a more sustainable world

The Expedition

In this phase, students experience the exhilaration of personal achievement through involvement in a journey of exploration and discovery unique to each Challenge. Students will experience the sights, smells and sensations of activities and environments very different from what they are used to. The Expedition has four phases:

Preparing for the Expedition involves developing the skills required to complete the Challenge and may involve completing a first aid course and participating in the fundraising for the community service project unique to each challenge. This culminates in a unique and purposely designed two week expedition.

Challenge choices

There are six different challenges from which students choose:

1. Global Challenge
2. Port Davey Challenge
3. Central Australia Aboriginal Cultural Challenge
4. Tasmanian Aboriginal Cultural Challenge
5. Island Challenge
6. Ironbark Challenge

Global Challenge

Global Challenge is an amazing cultural immersion experience for students to take part in.

This Challenge is developed around key ideas of teaching young people about global citizenship, responsible travelling, self-awareness and social justice.

Due to the overseas travel component, parents/carers are advised that there is a levy of between $5,000 and $5,500 for the Challenge. This levy does not include the additional costs of required passports and vaccinations that may be recommended.

This Challenge is dependent upon no travel restrictions being in place at the scheduled time of the trip.

Students learn about connection and making a meaningful contribution to community. They will be immersed in and get to experience a cultural lifestyle and a way of being, different to our own here in Australia.

Port Davey Challenge

The ultimate wilderness challenge! Walk one of the world’s premier wilderness treks in the pristine Port Davey area of Southern Tasmania and explore the Bathurst Harbour using Sea Kayaks.

You will see and feel the power of the Southern Ocean, explore the waterways of Bathurst Harbour and Port Davey, traverse the mighty Ironbound Range and be inspired by the beauty of the South Coast.

If you are up for this sort of extreme adventure, then this Challenge is for you.

Parents/carers are advised that there is a levy to charter a boat. This will be in the vicinity of $500, final cost is dependent on numbers.

Watch Hutchins Power of 9 – Port Davey Challenge 2017 on YouTube

Central Australia Aboriginal Cultural Challenge

This Challenge to Central Australia is a cultural challenge comprising of two key components. The first involves connecting with and learning from local school communities. Students will have the opportunity to engage with students, support educational activities, and be part of the cultural learnings.

The second focuses on cultural immersion through camping on Country. The journey includes camping on Country in the stunning Western MacDonnell Ranges, offering an immersive experience of the land’s natural beauty and deep cultural. Along the way, you’ll visit sacred sites and other culturally important locations, guided by local knowledge holders. During visits to these magnificent sites and unique landscapes, you will experience sunrise and sunset views, campfire dinners and stories under the stars.

This unique opportunity fosters understanding, connection, and respect for Aboriginal culture.

Because of the travel, accommodation and guided components parents/carers are advised that there is a levy of between $4,000 to $4,500 for this Challenge.

This Challenge will be dependent upon no travel restrictions being in place at the scheduled time of the trip and sufficient student interest. Should travel to Central Australia be restricted, students will undertake the Tasmanian Aboriginal Cultural Challenge.

Tasmanian Aboriginal Cultural Challenge

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Culture Challenge will allow you to discover the depth of traditional cultural knowledge present here within our home State. By traveling to significant places throughout Tasmania with members of the local Aboriginal community, we will learn the stories of the past, understand the present and look to the future. Experiencing our beautiful and wild places through an Aboriginal cultural lens will transform and enrich our connection to the place we call home. This journey of discovery will broaden our knowledge and respect for one of the world’s oldest living cultures and provide an opportunity to contribute to our society through community service with local organisations and charities.

The Challenge will provide opportunities to have hands on experiences. Students will be shown how to create, care for and live off the land like Tasmanian Aboriginals have done for many generations.

There is no levy for this Challenge.

Island Challenge

The Island Challenge will present you with a real-life adventure through a problem-solving, multi-sport team challenge. It will involve an extended stay in Tasmania’s isolated wilderness. You will experience the realities of remoteness and have to be self-sufficient, self-reliant and also work as part of a team.

You will begin the Challenge with very little information and your journey will be ‘discovered’ as you go. It will involve being outdoors for the majority of your time away and you will be making camp, preparing meals and ‘living’ in a variety of the spectacular environments our island state has to offer. You will have to use your mind just as much as your physical skills to get through this Challenge. Your comfort, success and enjoyment will be a product of your team’s combined skills and co-operation.

Like the other Challenges there will be a community service component however, unlike the others your itinerary will be a closely guarded secret. If you are prepared to deal with life’s ‘unknowns’ you will thrive in this Challenge.

There is no levy for this Challenge.

Ironbark Challenge

Based in the stunning landscapes of Tasmania, this challenge blends elements of a farm stay with camping adventures, offering a mix of creative, personal, and outdoor experiences. Students will explore farm life, have the opportunity to express themselves through the arts, and develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

With a more relaxed pace, the Ironbark journey allows time to reflect, while still offering challenge through activities designed to cater to the group, like kayaking, bushwalking, cycling, and more. Combining both accommodation and camping elements, the program supports resilience, confidence, and personal growth—encouraging students to learn from nature, work together, and discover new ways to create and lead, and explore various roles within a group.

If you have interests in or would love to learn about farming, arts, contributing to community and would like a little bit of outdoor adventure on the side, this is the challenge for you.

There is no levy for the Ironbark Challenge.

The subjects

Students study a mix of compulsory and elective subjects.

Compulsory subjects

• Building Connections
• English
• Health and Physical Education
• History and Religious Studies
• Mathematics
• Science

Elective subjects

Students choose four subjects where the emphasis is on creativity, language and performance. The choices are:

• Chinese
• Designer Maker
• Drama Technique
• Film Making
• Financial Literacy
• French
• Game Making
• Music
• Philosophy
• Sports Development Program
• Visual Arts and Media

For further information about the Power of 9 please contact Ms Caitlyn Tulk, Co-ordinator of Power of 9.