AT tea with friends on Monday night, we discussed highlights from our school years - more than four years ago, now.
One particular highlight was in year 11, on an outdoor education camp to the snow, when one friend lost control and found herself hurtling down a black ski run.
It was funny back then and it's hilarious now.
But the camp was also important to our education and the high marks many of us received in the Victorian Certificate of Education exam reflected this.
So I think it's necessary for people to realise what students are missing out on when a school camp is cancelled.
A camp can boost your confidence, your friendship circle and your knowledge of a particular topic. For year sevens, it's a great way to meet new people, and for year 12s it's a good way to prepare for the long year ahead.
Teachers recognise the importance of camps and excursions and encourage participation.
So it is a sign that something is sorely wrong when teachers need to boycott such activities to make a stand.
The battle between the Australian Education Union and the State Government has been going on for nearly as long as I've been out of high school and I am mystified as to why.
During the 2010 state election campaign, Ted Baillieu made a clear promise to make the state's teachers the best paid in Australia.
Not the worst paid, but the best paid.
There was no talk of performance pay and certainly no hint that such drastic action as an overtime ban would be necessary.
Instead of better pay, in the years since we've seen cuts to Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning, TAFE and other learning necessities.
Education is hugely important - it should not even need to be stated.
We need a State Government which recognises this and it is apparent the current one does not.
Some might condemn teachers for refusing to work more than 38 hours a week.
But the State Government seems to have been largely unresponsive to the teachers since it got into power.
I hope the government can keep the battle out of the Federal Court now and instead meet with the union to genuinely negotiate options.
Better pay is just part of it. Support for services such as VCAL and TAFE is essential.
So are the extras, such as school camps and excursions.
There was another thing I learnt at school - stick to your word.
There's a lesson for you, Ted.