Third Letter Home to Parents - Pre Parent Visiting Weekend
Monday 25 February 2019

Hello again from the community of the Alpine School Campus!

What a busy term we have had already. For the most part we have had beautiful Alpine Summer Days. There has been the odd thunderstorm and cool weather, but that’s all part of the Alpine environment. The first expedition groups have headed-out and returned already. They donned backpacks and made their way out to make their way to a camping location known as Mother Johnstons or Biathlon Hut for a night of camping, before returning back to school. The students were well prepared and so full of excitement, apprehension, “coolness” and worry, all mixed into one! We know, however, that what they will learn through their undertaking will put them in great stead. One of the concepts we use in designing our type of educational experience is to move from the known to the unknown. In moving to, and living at, the Alpine School Campus, students initially are in an unknown environment (socially, physically, emotionally, geographically and so on), which they soon become comfortable and familiar with. It is a very deliberate part of the process of learning both leadership skills and to be enterprising.

VISITING WEEKEND

The visiting weekend is this coming up soon, and we look forward to seeing you again. Can we stress that it is a family occasion, for parents’ benefit, and should be limited to immediate family members? Pick-up time is at: 9.00am on Saturday March 9th. We ask that you return with your son or daughter by 3pm and depart by 4pm on Sunday March 10th.

NOTE: Road Closures:
Please not there will be some road closures for the 3 Peaks bike race on Sunday 10th March. These should only be on Sunday morning but please check Vicroads for details as it gets closer. I will endeavour to send out information on the closures as it comes to hand. Some families may wish to arrive and leave earlier due to the travel involved or family commitments. The school will be staffed from 1pm on Sunday.
If any families are unable to attend, or wish to seek alternative arrangements, please let us know as soon as possible and we may be able to assist. --

The Alpine School experience is ultimately a very personal one for parents and guardians, students and families and each experience is slightly different. We thank you for being a part of our community. We look forward to seeing you on the visiting weekend and remember to check the Alpine Weather forecast and drive safely.

• THIRD LETTER: READ the Full Letter: 25/02/2019: OPEN PDF

2019 SSL - Alpine School Program Key Dates

Expressions close last week of term 2 in the year prior to the program.
Notification will be given in term 3 of the year prior to the program.
Community Information evening conducted as time and local requirements dictate in the term prior to program.

Second Letter Home from The Alpine School Campus (Altitude 1600m),
Friday February 15 2018

Letter Snapshot...

Welcome again to the community of the Alpine School Campus. Congratulations again on the achievement of being personally, as a team, as a family and as a school selected to participate in this Alpine School experience. The purpose of these letters is to provide you a perspective of the intended program here at the Alpine School. What your son or daughter experiences, and then of course what they may communicate to you, may vary! This is quite normal! We will not be writing about individuals, more about the experiences of the community as a whole.

Students are again this coming week heading out on their overnight expeditions, carrying their backpacks and all their alpine camping gear. We start locally with an overnight expedition, and after the visiting weekend, we head out on a more ambitious expedition. Please be reassured that all expedition routes are reviewed for safety and access and modifications made as deemed necessary, to ensure that the safety of your sons/daughters remains as paramount.

Visiting Weekend Reminders

Parents/ Guardians visiting weekend is approaching and this time is specifically a weekend about you as a family and about your relationship to you son/daughter, and is an integral part of the whole Alpine School separation and reintegration process. Give them your undivided attention and take an interest in their experience here and their return and reintegration over the Summer period will be so much better for all of you. If you are not able to make the visiting weekend of Saturday March 9 and Sunday March 10, or would like to talk to us about any of the matters raised, please do not hesitate to do so.

• READ THE SECOND LETTER: Letter 2: 26/10/2018