Woodlea

Year 9 Journeys – Adventure, Challenge and Plenty of Memories

What an incredible week our Year 9 students experienced as they embarked on their Journey Programs across Victoria. Whether hiking the rugged trails of the Surf Coast and Grampians, paddling along the Murray River, or exploring the Mornington Peninsula, students stepped outside their comfort zones and embraced every challenge that came their way. Inspired by the values of leadership, ambition, kindness, confidence and resilience, our students demonstrated remarkable growth throughout their adventures.

Over four action-packed days, students navigated unfamiliar terrain, carried their own equipment, prepared meals, set up campsites and worked together to overcome physical and mental challenges. There were sore legs, early mornings, plenty of laughs, and more than a few creative Trangia cooking attempts. Along the way, students discovered just how capable they are when they persevere, support one another and embrace the journey.

A huge thank you must go to our outstanding partners at the YMCA whose instructors, planning and support, helped make these experiences possible. Their enthusiasm, expertise and commitment to student wellbeing ensured that every journey was both safe and unforgettable.

We would also like to sincerely thank the staff members who generously gave up their time to accompany our students.

Whether they were hiking kilometres of bush tracks, helping students set up tents in record time, offering encouragement on challenging sections of the journey, or ensuring everyone was fed and smiling, their dedication made an enormous difference. We are incredibly grateful for their willingness to swap the comfort of home for sleeping bags, hiking boots and camp life.

Most importantly, congratulations to our Year 9 students. You embraced the unknown, supported your peers, pushed through challenges and created memories that will last a lifetime. The Journey Program is about far more than reaching a destination. It is about discovering what you can achieve along the way, and our students should be very proud of all they accomplished this year.

We look forward to hearing the stories, sharing the photos and celebrating the many achievements from another successful Woodlea Year 9 Journey Program!

Stacey-Lee Viljoen – Head of Year 9 and Head of Duke of Edinburgh (Woodlea)