FISHING THE SAPPHIRE COAST CAMP 2026 ACTIVITIES WEEK
ACTIVITIES WEEK CAMP
10-14 AUGUST 2026
FISHING THE SAPPHIRE COAST CAMP
July 2026
Dear Student and Parents/Guardians,
The Fishing Camp takes place around various fishing locations in and around Pambula and Merimbula. We will travel by Rosa bus driven by staff, leaving Woodleigh on Monday by 6am (we have a long way to go!), stopping for our first fish in Lakes Entrance, and then moving on to Pambula in the afternoon. We will aim for a final fish on Friday morning, and then to be back at Woodleigh by 5pm.
Our fishing will take place in a variety of types, from calm shores, piers and river inlets, and will be based each day on the tides and conditions. These locations offer good fishing for species such as flathead, whiting, Australian salmon, squid, and hopefully even some gummy sharks. Each day the conditions will be assessed, and locations may be changed from the program, if needed.
Size and bag limits will be strictly enforced and students will learn how to recognise species to be able to accurately follow these limits. Naturally we will attempt to capture our catch on camera. No fishing licenCe is required for anyone under 18 years of age in VIC or NSW. If it's raining, we still fish, so make sure you have wet gear.
Parents/Guardians, please urgently respond to the Consent2Go eForm and ensure that your child’s medical information is up to date. All medication must be received and logged at school by no later than Monday 3 August. We appreciate your attention to this matter.
In this booklet you will find further information regarding the camp so please read through this carefully.
If there are any further queries you may have, please do not hesitate to contact me. We look forward to a fun and rewarding week.
Yours sincerely,
Mr David Benton
Fishing the Sapphire Coast Camp Coordinator
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Our camp is being held on the lands of the Yuin people and we wish to acknowledge them as Traditional Owners. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We are grateful to be visiting their land and we recognise their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this land.
POLICY RELATING TO STUDENTS WITHDRAWING FROM ACTIVITIES WEEK CAMP/ABSENTEE CHARGEBACK POST CAMP
Activities Week Camp is a compulsory part of the school curriculum and all students are expected to participate. Bookings and arrangements are made on this expectation.
In the event that a student withdraws from the camp due to medical reasons, the school requires prior written notice accompanied by a valid medical certificate. In such cases, families will be responsible for all non-refundable costs incurred, including but not limited to flights, accommodation, and other pre-paid expenses.
For cancellations due to a change of mind or any non-medical reasons, families will be charged the full camp fee.
SUNSMART POLICY
In keeping with the school’s “SunSmart” approach to outdoor activities, students are required to bring sunscreen, a protective hat (with a wide brim) and to wear tops which adequately cover the skin of the shoulders and back. In the event of swimming activities, students will need “rashies” or t-shirts. Sunscreen is an additional protection - it does not take the place of clothing or shade.
NUT POLICY
On Camp, we request that parents/students avoid bringing food products that contain nuts of any kind in order to minimise the risk to students with severe allergies.
The school cannot guarantee that the camp environment will be 100% allergen free, hence students with allergies need to remain vigilant in their decisions around any food that they ingest.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CONTACT
In the event of an emergency, or if you need to urgently contact your child, please do not ring the camp (or your child) directly but rather contact the school during office hours on (03) 5971 6100 or contact after hours on mobile 0482 888 022
RESPOND TO CONSENT2GO EFORM
To enable staff to fulfil their duty of care to students, we need accurate and up-to-date information about medical and personal issues for all students. Please respond to the Consent2Go eForm and ensure that your child’s medical information is up to date. Any last-minute changes should be communicated directly to the leader of the camp as well as updated on Consent2Go. We do rely on this information, and parents do have a duty of disclosure, to ensure all relevant information is known.
INFORMATION COLLECTION POLICY
Confidential medical and other sensitive information collected and used for the running of these camps will be handled in line with the School’s Privacy Policy.
POLICY RELATING TO STUDENTS SENT HOME FROM CAMP
Where a student does need to be sent home, for medical, personal, or discipline reasons, they will need to be collected from the camp by their parent/guardian (at their own expense) - they cannot travel unaccompanied. In all cases, arrangements must be made with school and special arrangements may need to be in place for remote camps, i.e. 3 or more hours from school.
EXTREME WEATHER POLICY
We will modify our program based on weather forecasts - we will be in contact with Woodleigh School to review the week’s weather as it unfolds. In the event of a day being forecast to be Extreme (under the CFA Fire Danger Rating system) the program will be modified at the least, to ensure safety in the heat, and evacuation plans in readiness. In the event of a day being forecast to be Code Red (Catastrophic), the program will be cancelled in advance and students evacuated the day before. The School will use SMS and email to communicate with parents in such cases.
FISHING CAMP INFORMATION
CAMP DATES
Monday 10 - Friday 14 August 2026.
MEDICATION ON CAMP
Any students taking prescription medication on camp will need to provide all medication (in original packaging) to school by no later than Monday 3 August 2026. The prescription medication must clearly show your child’s name and dosage on the original packaging and matches exactly to what is listed on the medication form. You can drop off the medication to reception or the First Aid Centre anytime between 8am-4.30pm. Before handing in your child's prescription medication, you are required to answer all the questions within the link in the Consent2Go Form.
Medication will only be accepted after this date in exceptional circumstances. This is because a detailed process must take place once medication is received, to ensure your child's safety and meet all legal requirements. A phone call will be required to discuss this further if needed.
For students who bring non-prescription medication that they intend to carry and administer themselves, upon administration of the medication, they are required to alert staff for our records.
COST
The cost of this Activities Week Camp is in the range of $850 - $900. The final cost will be charged to student accounts after camp week.
TRANSPORT
The group will be travelling by Rosa bus, which will be driven by Woodleigh staff.
Departure: Students to arrive at Woodleigh at 5.45am on Monday 10 August. We will be leaving Woodleigh by bus at 6.00am, so please be on time. Please refer to the bus location map at the end of this booklet.
Return: Students will return to Woodleigh by approximately 5pm on Friday 14 August.
LOCATION AND ACCOMMODATION
The camp is based in and around Pambula, and we will be staying at Pambula Discovery Parks in their cabins. Students will need to bring their own bedding (see the list below).
MEALS
Basic items for breakfasts (bread and cereal) and lunches (sandwiches and fruit) will be provided by the camp teachers, but each cabin will be expected to prepare and cook their own dinners during the week each evening, hopefully including some of the fish we catch! This will be one of the items to be covered during our pre-camp Activity as we plan meals and create shopping lists. Students will need to bring enough money to purchase supplies for the week.
ACTIVITIES
Throughout the week we will be finding as many opportunities for fishing as possible, and will develop skills needed for different locations, such as surf beaches, estuaries and lakes.
We will also be heading out on Thursday for a whale watching experience with Sapphire Coast Adventures – a 2 hour cruise where whale sightings are guaranteed!
CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT
What to bring on camp:
• Bedding and towel: a pillow, sleeping bag, sheet and a bath towel.
• Snacks and drinks/refillable drink bottle for the Day 1 journey. We will be stopping for breakfast and lunch, so students can either purchase their food, or bring a packed lunch.
• Lunch box for packed lunches
• Woollen or warm jumpers.
• Beanie or warm hat/cap as well as a sun hat.
• Waterproof jacket.
• Lots of old warm clothing including a track suit (may need to change wet clothes).
• Heavy duty footwear such as hiking boots, old runners.
• Sunscreen.
• Insect repellent.
• Card games or small board games for cabin time.
• Fishing gear: must include tackle, spare line and bank rod holder (optional but useful) packed into a tackle box/soft bag.
All participants will need the following fishing gear:
• Fishing Rods suitable for pier and calm shore fishing. A surf rod is an optional second rod, but should not be the only rod (surf rods are too long and heavy for a long day of fishing with lures or soft plastics). There is a maximum of 2 rods per person.
• Spinning Reel in good condition with 2 to 5 kg line.
• Small Tackle Box containing hooks, swivels, small ball and barrel sinkers, monofilament leader line, bait/cleaning knife and scaler. Optional extras include floats & split shot (handy) and soft plastics (plastics save on bait usage and can be effective). We will run through the tackle requirements in more detail during the pre-camp Activity.
• Rod holder - for bank fishing (we will create a cheap yet effective version of these during the pre-camp Activity, students must bring these along).
NOTE: Students will receive a comprehensive list and will learn each item’s purpose during the pre-Camp Activity, starting Friday, Week 1 of Team 3. This should leave plenty of time to purchase any necessary items.
GONE FISHIN CARRUM DOWNS
We have a working relationship with Gone Fishin in Carrum Downs (29 Lathams Rd), they have been briefed on our camp and the type of fishing we will be doing. They are ready to support any camp students who visit that need kitting up and have a selection of rods and reels that they are willing to provide to some large discounts on!
Just head into the shop, tell them your name, and let them know that you are from Woodleigh’s Fishing Camp! They have a list of students on the camp and are ready to get you everything that you will need.
PRE-CAMP ACTIVITY
A requirement of this camp is joining the Unit 4 pre-camp Activity. Students will use the Activity sessions to:
• Learn and practice some important knots
• Create a collection of pre-made paternoster rigs
• Create bank rod holders
• Learn how to read tides, wind and barometric pressure to decide on the best time and locations for fishing
• Practice some fish ID for the species we are likely to catch
• Practice casting in a straight line on the oval
• Head out to Mornington pier for some practice fishing before camp
DO NOT BRING
Valuables, drones, or any articles that you would hate to lose or break, and computers/laptops/iPads.
MOBILE PHONES
A reminder that the Woodleigh School Mobile Phone policy will be in effect throughout the week. Students will be required to bring their mobile phones on this camp as a safety measure in order to be able to contact staff during the day especially when we are spread out on the shore. Students will hopefully be able to use them to take photos of the fish they catch!
RISK
There are elements of risk involved in this camp and whilst safety ratios and requirements will be adhered to, we believe it is important to make you aware of potential risks. These risks include but are not limited to:
• Exposure to cold weather, water and extreme temperatures.
• Soft tissue injuries.
• Drowning.
In order to mitigate these risks - students will be required to have the appropriate safety clothing and equipment (list provided). Staff will be checking the weather and conditions daily and the program may change in the interests of safety if required. Staff will carry rescue equipment and first aid equipment.
BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS
• As a participant in the Activities Week Camps program, there is a high level of responsibility and expectation with respect to behaviour. All normal school policies apply, in particular:
• Involvement with sex, drugs, smoking, vaping or alcohol is prohibited.
• A preparedness to participate wherever appropriate.
• Safety of all participants is paramount.
Infringement of these policies may result in the student being sent home, at your own expense.
• It is a courtesy to be respectful and positive at all events, even those you personally find less interesting. A good night’s sleep will be essential - being tired will not only affect you but also others on camp.
• Never leave the campsite/fishing location without the permission of a staff member.
• Each student is responsible for the immediate environment and must keep it tidy and not damage any of the surroundings.
• No one is to enter anyone else's room before breakfast or after dark. You will only enter someone else's room if the people in that group are there, invite you in and you have obtained permission from a staff member.
Students will be placed into groups to help with organisation which will include such things as setting out breakfast, lunch and washing up. There are also cleaning duties which will be performed every day during the camp along with maintaining individual equipment. Students will have some free time to rest, read and socialise. We encourage every student to bring a board game or cards etc. to play with their peers during these down times.
Students are not permitted to eat or hang out in the bedrooms. The rooms are only for sleeping, dressing and showering. The days will be long and tiring and therefore some students may wish to go to sleep earlier, we are living in a close group with peers and staff. Respecting each other’s privacy and being quiet in the house is of the utmost importance.
FISHING THE SAPPHIRE COAST PROGRAM
DAY PROGRAM
Monday
Tuesday
5.45am Arrive Woodleigh Main Drive
6.00am Depart Woodleigh
10.30am – 1.00pm Fishing in Lakes Entrance
5.00pm Arrive in Pambula and settle in
5.30pm Grocery and bait shopping
7.00pm Evening fish on Pambula Beach (weather dependent)
5.30am Optional first light fish on Pambula beach
8.00am Head to first fishing location (weather, wind and tide dependent)
12.00pm Lunch break
1.00pm Second fishing location (weather, wind and tide dependent)
5.00pm Back to cabins for dinner prep and relaxation.
8.00pm Optional night fish on Pambula beach
5.30am Optional first light fish on Pambula beach
8.00am Head to first fishing location (weather, wind and tide dependent)
12.00pm Lunch break
Wednesday
Thursday
1.00pm Second fishing location (weather, wind and tide dependent)
5.00pm Back to cabins for dinner prep and relaxation.
8.00pm Optional night fish on Pambula beach
9.30am-11.30am Whale watching adventure
12.00pm Lunch break
1.00pm First fishing location (weather, wind and tide dependent)
5.00pm Back to cabins for dinner prep and relaxation.
8.00pm Optional night fish on Pambula beach
6.00am Depart camp site
Friday
10.30am – 1.00pm Fishing in Lakes Entrance
5.00pm Arrive back at Woodleigh main drive.
Please Note: All times and activities may be subject to change.
1 MAIN DRIVEWAY - ENTRANCE SIDE - G5
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING AT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK SKI/BOARD
MT HOTHAM DOWNHILL SKI/BOARD NEW ZEALAND DOWNHILL SKI/BOARD
SNOW SPORTS RACE TEAM
URBAN ADVENTURE
2 MAIN DRIVEWAY - EXIT SIDE - J6
ADVENTURE LEADERSHIP
CRUDEN OVAL - J3
ARTS: CONTEMPORARY JEWELLERY MAKING BAYPLAY MARINE BEECHWORTH MTB EPIC ENERGISE & REVIVE ESPORT CAMP FISHING THE SAPPHIRE COAST MAKE IT, BAKE IT, CREATE IT SLOW FASHION
ARAPILES ROCK CLIMBING
PARENTS: Please refer to
o
Cruden
MY CAMP CHECKLIST
Things to purchase / Things to take
