17 November 2017

Dear Parents

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S INTERNATIONAL AWARD PLC and SCOTCH COLLEGE ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY 2018 (Friday 20 April – Friday 27 April)

In 2018 Scotch College and PLC are introducing a new opportunity for our Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award participants. The tour is to the Abrolhos Islands and is scheduled to run in the second week of the April school holidays (to minimise the impact on other school commitments). This expedition will be a unique experience for students and gives them the opportunity to visit an area only a privileged few ever get to see.

Although this is the first time the Colleges have offered this particular tour it has been running in other capacities for many years. Safety is always the number one priority and the operators we use are of the highest calibre and work with many school groups. On board the training vessel there will be a skipper, two dive instructors, a dive master, plus Scotch and PLC staff members.

Below is a link to a YouTube video from previous trips which have included similar activities to what are planned http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TyX3DhDc24

This tour is different than previous tours because it has been individually designed to support the requirements of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. The two main sections the journey will focus on are the Skills and Adventurous Journey. Furthermore, the trip will promote extensive experiences in the areas outlined below.

• Maritime history and archaeology - a large component of any trip to the ‘Shipwreck Coast’ is exploring the maritime history of through the example of the Batavia shipwreck. Students will also have the unique opportunity to dive on the Batavia shipwreck.

• Exploring the importance of plankton and coral communities in the marine environment - by immersing students into this coral atoll they will explore, and learn hands-on, the characteristics of coral communities.

• Management of marine resources - the Abrolhos Islands is the heart of Western Australian’s rock lobster industry. This industry is regarded as one of the best managed fisheries in the world and students will get to see the fishery first hand. Separately, we will visit a pearl farm and view its operations.

• SCUBA diving - if you’re going to learn to SCUBA dive why not do it in one of the world’s best marine environments? Students will complete the theory and practical component of a PADI Open Water Diver course, which includes a lot of preparation prior to the trip.

Students who do not have any SCUBA experience: If you have always wanted to take SCUBA diving lessons, experience unparalleled adventure and see the world beneath the waves, this is where it starts. Get your SCUBA diving certification with the PADI Open Water Diver course – the world’s most popular and widely recognised scuba course. Students need adequate swimming skills and need to be in good physical health. No prior experience with SCUBA diving is required. Students will participate in independent online knowledge development to understand basic principles of SCUBA diving prior to the expedition. To learn more about the PADI open water diver course visit the following website; https://www.padi.com/scuba-diving/padi-courses/course-catalog/open-water- diver/

PADI have also got a risk video that should be viewed; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dW7m_jLjdc

Students who currently have their Open Water SCUBA qualification: There may be a number of students who already have their Open Water SCUBA qualification. The expedition still caters for these students by offering an Advanced Open Water Diver qualification. In the case of a student already holding their Advanced Diver qualification they will complete a range of technical dives that will go towards their Master SCUBA Diver certification.

Destination: Of the masses of islands that span alongside Australia’s continental shelf, the closest is 55 kilometres due west from Geraldton. More than 120 unspoiled islands that make up the Abrolhos Island group are amassed over 100 kilometres of pristine ocean. The mysterious and beautiful Abrolhos Islands are clustered into three main groups; The , the and the Southern or Pelsaert Group. All, except three of the islands, are coral atolls formed over the millennia by the growth and break down of many species of coral. The Abrolhos Islands are an ‘A’ Class Reserve and a fish habitat protection area. The existence of the warm Leeuwin current continues to carry a cargo of coral larvae and other marine life from as far north as Indonesia. This current maintains water temperatures at around 22 degrees, enabling corals and bright, colourful tropical fish species to thrive. The isolation and freedom the Abrolhos provides is unimaginable. Students will be able to explore a coral atoll surrounded by nothing other than the sound of birdlife in the wind and the tide washing over the broken corals. Western Australia recently celebrated the 400th anniversary of the first Dutch contact. On 25 October 1616, Dirk Hartog made landfall with his ship the Eendracht at in the Shark Bay area. The Batavia was another VOC vessel related to the Eendracht. It was wrecked at the Abrolhos Islands in 1629 and its’ story is one of the most significant in Australian History. Students will get the opportunity to dive on the Bativia wreck and make connections with the celebrations and significance of VOC ships on Australian history.

Expedition Cost: The cost of the expedition is expected to be $2000 per student. The cost will cover all expenses including the use of all the vessels, fuel, campsites, SCUBA dive course, food and external instructors. I realise that this is an expensive expedition. All expenses have been factored into the overall cost and no extra money is required.

Great reads if you’re interested: There are a few different books written on the Abrolhos Islands and the story of the Batavia. It is recommended that students read “Island of Angry Ghosts” by Hugh Edwards. Parents may wish to read the fascinating account of the story “Batavia’s Graveyard” by Mike Dash. Peter FitzSimons has also written an account of the Batavia that would make an excellent Christmas present!

Permission: The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information so that families can consider the expedition. Initially there will be nine spots available to PLC. The other nine places will be reserved for Scotch students. If there are extra places available, they will be filled but it is important that the two schools have an equal representation. When the group is finalised, there will be a large number of forms to be completed.

If you would like to express an interest in this journey, please email me by Wednesday 29 November. Please note participants must be enrolled in a Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award before joining the tour.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further queries or concerns regarding this expedition.

Liam Sullivan Director of Outdoor Education and Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Leader