The Ninja and Noodles Camp will run from Monday 10 August until Friday 14 August 2026. The camp will include a range of experiences and workshops in Traditional Martial Arts and Eastern Culture.
The activities for Ninja and Noodles Camp will be run both at Woodleigh Senior Campus and a variety of off-campus locations. A detailed program is attached within this booklet. For off-campus sessions, including most lunches, students and staff will be travelling by a staff driven bus. Please note that some changes in the times and offerings of each session may occur due to unforeseen circumstances.
Students should arrive at school and be prepared for the day’s sessions no later than 8:45am ready for an 8:50am bus departure. Dismissal will be from school at 3:45pm and 3:00pm on Wednesday.
Each day students will receive instruction from experienced and expert Martial Arts practitioners from a variety of traditions: Kenjutsu (traditional Japanese weaponry), BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – a grappling-style), and Wing Chun Kung Fu (a southern Chinese style particularly suited to close quarters combat and self-defence). These sessions will be very active. Note that any weapons used are training tools, for example foam-padded nunchaku and wooden katana. Martial Arts instructors may include coaches Josh Arena, Sifu Glenn Shand and Shihan Darren Ball. Sempai Nadia Davison will offer nunchaku instruction and mindfulness sessions.
Cultural understanding and appreciation is a significant aspect of Ninja and Noodles Camp. For lunch, students will have the opportunity to experience iconic Asian cuisines which may include dumplings, yum cha, Korean BBQ and noodles. After lunch, students will have workshops in cultural activities that may include meditation, Japanese art and calligraphy. The camp will finish with a celebratory martial arts themed movie.
Parents/Guardians, please urgently respond to the Consent2Go eForm and ensure that your child’s medical information is up to date.
In this booklet you will find further information regarding the camp, so please read through this carefully. I hope this information clarifies any questions you may have in relation to Ninja and Noodles Camp. If there are any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me. We look forward to a fun, enriching and rewarding week!
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Nadia Davison Ninja and Noodles Camp Coordinator
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Our camp is being held on the lands of the Bunurong and Boonwurrung 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.
NINJA & NOODLES CAMP INFORMATION
CAMP DATES
Monday 10 - Friday 14 August 2026.
MEDICATION ON CAMP
If you believe your child needs to take medication during the school day on camp, please contact the School Nurse before Monday 3 August.
COST
The cost of this Activities Week Camp is in the range of $600 - $660. The final cost will be charged to student accounts after camp week. This includes morning snacks and lunch each day, as well as all materials and instruction in workshops.
TRANSPORT
For off-campus sessions, students and staff will be travelling by a staff driven bus.
Arrival Students to arrive at the Gym driveway at Woodleigh by no later than 8:45am each day (please refer to the Bus Location map at the end of this booklet).
Departure Students will be dismissed from Woodleigh each day at 3:45pm and 3:00pm Wednesday.
LOCATION
The camp is located at Woodleigh, Peninsula Kung Fu Mornington and WAVES Martial Arts (BJJ) in Frankston.
MEALS
For lunch, students will have the opportunity to experience iconic Asian cuisines which may include dumplings, yum cha, Korean BBQ and noodles. For off-campus sessions, including most lunches, students and staff will be travelling by minibus.
ACTIVITIES
Each day students will receive instruction from experienced and expert Martial Arts practitioners from a variety of traditions: Kenjutsu (traditional Japanese weaponry), BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – a grappling-style), and Wing Chun Kung Fu (a southern Chinese style particularly suited to close quarters combat and self-defence). These sessions will be very active. Note that any weapons used are training tools, for example foam-padded nunchaku and wooden katana. Martial Arts instructors may include Coach Josh Arena, Sifu Glenn Shand and Shihan Darren Ball. Sempai Nadia Davison will offer nunchaku instruction and mindfulness sessions.
Cultural understanding and appreciation is a significant aspect of Ninja and Noodles Camp. For lunch, students will have the opportunity to experience iconic Asian cuisines which may include dumplings, yum cha, Korean BBQ and noodles. After lunch, students will have workshops in meditation, Japanese art and calligraphy. The camp will finish with a celebratory martial arts themed movie.
MARTIAL ARTS WORKSHOPS AND INSTRUCTORS
Kenjutsu Instructor: Shihan Darren Ball
Darren Ball leads the Yamagawa branch of the Fudoshin Ryu and has been training since he was very young. Darren was privileged to have also trained under his Godfather, Soke Lawrence, as well as having obvious access to Soke Ball for most of his life. He is currently ranked 4th-dan in Bujutsu and achieved his Weapons Master certificate in 1998. Darren teaches all of the lessons at the Yamagawa Dojo in Seaford. Darren has also achieved Yudansha ranks in Judo, Jujitsu and Karate. The best way to view the Fudoshin Ryu is a well-balanced education in various traditional Japanese Martial Arts whereby each discipline is studied together in an integrated syllabus. Kenjutsu sessions will be held on campus at Woodleigh School.
Wing Chun Kung Fu Instructor: Sifu Glenn Shand
Glenn Shand, Chief Instructor at Peninsula Kung Fu, is a consummate teacher of martial arts and an expert practitioner of traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu.
In 1995, Sifu Glenn commenced training the art of traditional Wing Chun directly under the guidance of Grandmaster William Cheung and Sifu Bruce Corles of the World Wing Chun Kung Fu Association.
After many years of training and commitment, Glenn Shand successfully achieved Level 10 status and was awarded the coveted Wing Chun Instructor Gold Sash from Sifu Bruce Corles. Shortly thereafter, Glenn Shand was acknowledged personally by Grandmaster William Cheung and promoted to the title honour of Sifu – meaning teacher.
BJJ Instructor: Coach Josh Arena
Josh Arena is a PT and grappling coach at Waves Martial Arts (BJJ). He specialises in gi and non-gi training. Gi classes emphasise control, grip-based techniques and technical precision while non-gi classes focus on movement, balance and faster paced exchanges. BJJ classes for our sessions will be non-gi focused.
CULTURAL WORKSHOPS
Shodo and Sumie
In these workshops, renowned artist Junko Azukawa will teach students how to prepare their own sumi ink then learn to make and use different ink tones and brush techniques to create traditional Japanese calligraphy (Shodo) and ink painting (Sumie). It is believed that this encourages a reflective quietened mind, which leads to a peaceful heart and spirit. Rice paper, a brush and monochrome black ink are the simple tools used. With Sumie, students will learn to feel and capture the meaning of objects from nature with interpretation, then express the objects variously with brush pressure, rhythm, tones and confidence in their strokes. With Calligraphy, students will learn various brush techniques, styles, stroke order and balance of Japanese characters as well as the history of calligraphy and the meaning of Japanese characters. No experience in Japanese language is required.
CUISINE (food!)
Students will be provided with a healthy morning tea each day, including fruit and nutritious snacks. Most days lunch will be at one of Mornington or Frankston’s best Asian restaurants. Featured cuisines may include dumplings, Korean BBQ, noodles, yum cha and modern Cantonese.
Costs for all food are included in the camp fee.
CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT
Martial Arts classes will be VERY active. Students will require a change/s of clothing that are suitable for sporting activity. For lunch outings and cultural workshops, a change of casual and comfortable clothes is recommended (be mindful of the activities.) A drink bottle, day pack and small towel are also recommended.
DO NOT BRING
Valuables or any articles that you wouldn't want to lose or break, an excessive amount of money, lollies, or any electronic/digital devices.
MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones may be brought each day for the purposes of contacting parents regarding arrival times back at school. They will not be required for any other purpose during the week.
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:
• Injury during martial arts drills.
• Food intolerances.
• Please note: a movie of an M rating may be shown for the final session. However, should you have reservations about allowing your child to view M rated films, there will be alternate provisions made. More information will come prior to the camp.
To mitigate the above risks, the following safety precautions will be taken:
• Careful supervision and instruction throughout martial arts classes.
• Adjustment of lunches as required.
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/off-site venue 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.
Please note: These times and activities are 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
PARENTS: Please refer to your camp booklet for departure/return dates and times. Please only park in designated parent parking areas when dropping o /collecting your child. This will avoid congestion around the buses on Monday departures and Friday returns.
