Year 9 camp is held at Roses Gap in the Grampians for four days during Term 1. All year 9 students attend the camp at the same time, which makes it an important early opportunity for them to make new friends and bond with their peers, strengthening the relationships they have begun creating since the beginning of the year. Roses Gap provides the opportunity to travel outside comfort zones and experience new things. The Year 9 students have the opportunity to undertake activities such as abseiling, canoeing, and climbing in the vertical play pen in addition to various House competitions and a talent quest night. Through their time on this camp, our students gain a better understanding of their peers and teachers who will be with them for the rest of their high school journey at Nossal.

“Roses Gap was probably the most exhilarating by far for the Year 9 students. It truly bonded us together. The camp was packed with thrilling activities such as a giant swing, abseiling, canoeing and many more fun filled things. Although physically demanding, everyone had a blast and the camp was great.” Jeremy Lee, Year 9

Understanding the diverse environment, the distance and cultural characteristics of Australia is a crucial part of becoming an active citizen and leader in this country.  Whilst many of our students have the opportunity to experience overseas travel with their families, very few have the opportunity to see outback Australia. This tour runs annually (based on numbers of 40-45) taking in the scenic beauty of central Australia and typically including the iconic destinations of Uluru, Kata Tjuta, King’s Canyon and Alice Springs.  Students will camp in tents (provided) throughout the trip. The trip is timed to coincide with the beginning of the mid-year holidays, so that students wishing to participate will not miss many classes.

Every other year, students studying French from Year 10-12 have the opportunity to take part in a study tour to a French-speaking country. Students have the opportunity to travel to New Caledonia or France depending on interest. Students stay with a host family for part of the trip, take part in intensive language classes and also have the opportunity to undertake sight-seeing and cultural activities. In France, students get to see some of the most famous sights of France – the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, The Palace of Versailles – and to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and flavours of both the capital and other regions of the country. The homestay and immersion classes allow students to really make the most of the trip to extend their language skills and their cultural understanding of France. We have also recently established a relationship with a school similar to ours in France, and in 2019 hosted our first group of visiting French students.

Each even year (2016, 2018…) Nossal High School arranges a Tour to Japan. This tour is open to students in years 9 through 12, though preference will go to students in years 10 to 12 who are studying Japanese at Nossal High School. The Japan Tour aims to give students an opportunity to use Japanese and appreciate the complexity and vibrancy of Japanese culture in an authentic setting. Students stay with a Japanese family and attend school in Japan (Chosei Senior High School in Chiba Prefecture) for a week. Additionally, they have the opportunity to stay in Japanese style accommodation, both modern and traditional, and visit urban and rural areas in the Kansai and Kanto regions. The Tour is costed to include all airfares, transfers, accommodation, transport, meals, entrance to cultural sites and general spending money, offering parents and students scope to work within a $4000 to $5000 budget. A full itinerary is published on the Nossal website and a Tour Blog is created for parents to follow while the students are in Japan.

In the odd years, students and their families have the opportunity to host a student from Japan. We host students and staff from Chosei Senior High School in Chiba Prefecture for a week during their biennial tour to Victoria. Students who attend the Japan Tour agree to participate in activities during the reciprocal exchange with our Sister School, including hosting and/or taking part in outings and activities. Additionally, hosting exchange opportunities are available to all students studying Japanese.

In Year 12 all students attend a seaside camp at Lord Somers Camp situated in beautiful natural coastland on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. The location has spectacular coastline and magnificent beaches. It is an ideal venue for our students to explore sand, sea, surf and bush. The coastal environment and the many adventure-based activities available on site, including surfing, paddle boarding, canoeing and others, provides students with time to relax and have fun before becoming immersed in the serious business of Year 12.