Acknowledging that students in senior years are immersed in studies and concentrating on schoolwork, perhaps a relaxed, casual and short 5 or 6-day Austour experience could provide bonding and friendship opportunities and spark a renewal of enthusiasm. Reconciliation Week in the last week of May provides an excellent opportunity to meet and enjoy the friendship of Aboriginal students and to lend a helping hand with younger students. Include a formal Outback dinner, special fun team-building activities, a mini Henley-on-Todd, land yachting or abseiling with professional instructors, and participation in Reconciliation events in The Alice.
A similar program could be conducted in NAIDOC Week (during the second term break in July). The end-of-year Schoolies Week alternative could be a highlight in a constructive and fun way … and there may be a little more time to expand and add content to the itinerary. The regular Austour school safari can be enhanced to include a Reconciliation theme or an extra option for Schoolies Week.
