As part of our Exploration Concept, we discovered the earliest settlers of Bank's Peninsula and Quail Island and the challenges that the people faced there. Read two short recounts about our trip!

A recount of the day by Edy Belingher

On the 20th of August 2018 the year 8 A & E students went on an adventure to Quail Island. We started off by leaving school at around 20 past eight taking two buses to Lyttelton Harbour where we boarded two ferries and were on our way to Quail Island. The boat ride was rather smooth allowing some people to go outside to the back of the boat however I stayed inside. When we arrived to the island we disembarked the boat onto a wooden wharf and then headed up to a small shelter where we waited for the second ferry to arrive. We then walked for about 5-10 minutes where we arrived at the ‘barracks’ where we spent about 15 minutes. We then walked to a hut that was used to hold people with leprosy and then carried on to a grave marker where the first person to die of leprosy was buried. Mr Jackson talked about how a person who was thought to have leprosy, but didn’t, ran away to a very close island acting as a priest who needed to get home tricking the farmer that ordered a taxi for him sending the man to freedom. After walking for some time up and down hills we arrived to a quarry which I was the first to reach the top of. The rocks were very slippery making them hard to climb however there were no injuries which was good. Being throughout one of the front of the line I was sometimes able to run ahead until I was out of the teachers sight. Having a lot of energy I started running again. After about 30 minutes of walking we stopped to have lunch. There was a huge tree trunk that was carved out into a seat and that is where we ate lunch. Along the way we came across a couple of ‘mud paths’ which I found fun as I could slide around. Arriving at the wharf we had to wait a little bit as they ferry wasn’t there. When it came we embarked and this time the trip was very rough meaning that no one could stand at the back of the boat but it was still very fun. We got onto the bus and drove back to school however we arrived early meaning we had spare time in which Miss Wilby did basketball and Mr Jackson did two ball football which I played. 

A recount of the day by Vicky Wijaya

We had left the hut to continue our journey across Quail Island after taking in all that ‘rich learning’. As we walked up and down hills whilst taking in the stunning views. Clouds overlapping the huge what seem to be mountains. The sun’s rays shining, making it hard to see. Suddenly the line stops. Mr Jackson begins speaking but whilst listening the sun’s rays are too bright so I remove my jacket.

I’m unable to see what everyone else is looking at but as they file out my sight is returned. Here I am, standing in front of Ivon Skelton’s grave - first person to die from leprosy on Quail Island.

He was trapped away, locked in a room stranded from all humankind. For his suffering he is now the only person to die from leprosy to be buried on the island.

May he rest in peace.

Photography by Katelin Parnell, Freya Moller, Victoria Ding and Tori Wilby