FOR 50 years, students of Normanhurst Boys High have travelled to Jenolan Caves for an annual excursion, a tradition which may qualify them for the Guiness Book of Records for maintaining the longest continuous association between a school and the caves. Last week 120 Year 7 and 14 Year 11 boys travelled with nine teachers and their principal to Bathurst and Jenolan on the annual pilgrimage.
Apart from enjoying the educational and social experience they tested their mettle in adventure caving exercises. The students donned helmets and lights and got down and dirty to push themselves through holes with names such as The S bend, The Letterbox and The Plug Hole. The names perfectly described the situations they faced.
A formal dinner was held with past and present guides, teachers and hotel staff attending. Speakers relived past glories with tales of yore regarding wombats, weather conditions and how the hotel has changed and rediscovered itself over the decades.
David McMurtrie, a teacher who ran the excursion for 19 years, and John Calligan, a guide who has helped the school to organise the tours for many years deserve special mention.
Judging by the smiles of the students and the weary faces of the teachers it was another enjoyable experience for all and the general feeling was that the excursions will continue for years to come.
The event coincides with the school’s 50th Anniversary and a “Back to Normo” celebration planned for the weekend of August 30-31. The celebration will see past and present students rekindling old friendships and memories at the school.
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