We, the Grade 5 Parents of Doncaster Primary School (DPS), are calling on the school council to reconsider the decision to replace the Year 6 Canberra Camp with a Snow Trip in 2027.

We ask that the school council consider the following:

* **Educational value:** Canberra provides students with a unique opportunity to engage with Australian history, democracy and civic institutions in a way that complements their classroom learning. Its educational value significantly outweighs that of a primarily recreational snow trip.

* **Safety concerns:** Overwhelming concerns about the suitability and safety of a snow trip for children of this age. A snow camp introduces additional safety considerations, including unfamiliar terrain, snow and ice, falls and injuries, cold exposure, changing weather conditions and the inherent risks associated with snow activities. While these risks can be managed, they add a level of complexity that is not present in a Canberra Camp and should be considered when determining the most appropriate experience for Year 6 students.  In addition, a risk assessment has not yet been completed, it should have been done before the decision was made to commit to a snow camp.

***Equity of access:**  We understand that the school’s primary objective in changing the camp is to ensure more students can participate. However, we are concerned that the safety concerns surrounding a snow trip may result in more children opting out, ultimately reducing participation rather than improving access. A Canberra camp, delivered at an affordable price point, would provide an inclusive and valuable experience for more students.

***Potential additional costs:** We are also concerned about the potential for additional, unforeseen costs associated with a snow-based camp, particularly in the event of an accident, injury or illness. We would appreciate greater clarity around what costs are covered by the camp fee and what expenses may potentially fall to families in these circumstances.

* **Affordability:** Other schools offer four-night Canberra camps for approximately half of the proposed cost (around $1,000). The proposed cost of the snow camp is broadly comparable (approximately $950), despite providing two fewer nights. From a value perspective, this represents a significant reduction in the amount of experience students receive for a similar level of expenditure. Rather than moving away from the Canberra camp, we encourage DPS to explore ways of delivering this valuable educational experience at a more appropriate and affordable price point. 

* **Travel:** We support travelling to Canberra by bus. The journey and stops along the way, such as The Dog on the Tucker Box at Gundagai, are part of the experience. When airport travel and waiting times are considered, flying may not offer a significant time saving.

* **Value and funding:** With no Year 5 camp, there is an opportunity to allocate more resources to the Year 6 camp while remaining mindful of family budgets.

* **Camp duration:** DPS already offers a short camp program of just six nights across Years 4 and 6 (two nights in Year 4 and four nights in Year 6). Reducing the Year 6 camp from four nights to two would mean that students have only four nights of camp experience across their entire primary schooling. We feel this is a significant reduction in an important educational opportunity for students.

We respectfully ask DPS to put the Canberra Camp back on the table for 2027 and work with parents to find an affordable, safe and educational experience worthy of our Year 6 students.