Rejoicing in the Lord, together | Fuel Camp – 5-7June 2026

On the King’s Birthday Long Weekend each year, hundreds of students from both Trinity Grammar School and Meriden School descend on the Collaroy Centre in the Northern Beaches for Fuel Camp.

Fuel Camp was established 22 years ago as a mainstay in the calendar, and one that has only grown in popularity. This year, 250 students  and 25 staff – from Trinity and Meriden combined – attended.

The camp is designed for students to get involved, grow in their Christian faith, share in fellowship, and, for the senior students, to develop their leadership skills.

“It’s an opportunity for the senior boys and girls to show their skills,” says Trinity Chaplain, Mr James Harricks. “They chair the sessions, they run a whole bunch of activities. We really want to give them the opportunities to lead their peers in a whole range of different ways.”

Fuel Camp is a voluntary experience, but it’s one that more and more students are taking up – something that Mr Harricks says is a result of the strong culture built around the camp, with older students raving about their experience and establishing it as an unmissable part of Trinity life.

And, he says, it’s heartening to see so many students taking up the chance to invite their school mates along to have the experience together.

“It’s an opportunity for the students who are involved in voluntary Christian ministry to invite their friends along to think about Christian things outside of School. It’s with School friends, but not School vibes. It’s more relaxed, you’re away from home.”

Meriden students are also passionate about the camp, with Mr Harricks saying the School partnership is one that all involved value and hope continues for a long time.

“We actively look for opportunities to work together on projects and Fuel Camp is an obvious one where we can work together. Across the whole Christian ministry space we’re largely trying to do the same thing,” says Mr Harricks.

This year, the students heard three talks from the book of Habakkuk, delivered by Lauren Mahaffey, Assistant Minister from Summer Hill Church.

Discussion groups were a highlight, with Matthew N (11SC)) saying it was “encouraging seeing young people taking their relationships with Jesus seriously and wanting to grow in their knowledge and love of Him”.

Ben W (12WJ) said he found it encouraging to dive into Habakkuk over the weekend and was reminded that “all Christians battle similar challenges and that we aren’t alone in them”.

“My biggest takeaway from the weekend was a reminder that we can rely on God’s plan even in our doubts, and trust that he is in control.”

Daniel J (12MU)) was particularly struck by Habakkuk 3:17–18.

Though the fig tree does not bud

    and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

    and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

    and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

    I will be joyful in God my Savior.

“It really summed up everything we talked about over the weekend,” Daniel said. “Even if we don’t have all the answers, even if we feel lost, and even if we are frustrated, even if there is nothing in our life to thank God about, we can rejoice anyway. We can be joyful because our God is a saviour and a promise keeper – yesterday, today, and forever.