An energetic four‑day adventure saw our Year 10 students travel to Melbourne from 23–26 September. The carefully planned itinerary balanced guided excursions with time to explore the city, creating a programme full of learning, laughter and fresh experiences.

Accommodation at The Village Melbourne proved a highlight for students. The common room quickly became the social hub where groups gathered to play board and card games, listen to music, catch up with friends and practise yoga. The comfortable, communal atmosphere gave everyone space to relax between activities and strengthened friendships.

On arrival students visited DFO South Wharf before heading to the Melbourne Skydeck for sweeping city views that set the tone for the trip. Day two featured a behind‑the‑scenes MCG tour during Grand Final week, where students accessed changerooms, the media room and getting down to the ground - although not actually touching the hallowed turf. We also had the chance to catch up with Taekwondo Olympian Stacey Hymer who share her experiences and even taught us some moves. That same day Scienceworks and IMAX delivered hands‑on science exhibits and immersive films that captured many curious minds.

Day three focused on art and media: ArtVo’s interactive 3D installations encouraged playful creativity and great photo moments, while ACMI offered insight into film, media and digital storytelling. An exploration of the CBD introduced students to Melbourne’s laneways, street art and café culture, giving them a taste of the city’s character and independent spirit.

The trip also offered plenty of opportunities for shopping and sampling new foods. DFO South Wharf and Queen Victoria Market provided a wide variety of retail and culinary choices, and many students tried cuisines they had never tasted before, broadening their cultural and culinary horizons.

Beyond the attractions, the trip delivered important personal growth. Students practised independence by navigating public transport, managing time between scheduled activities and free exploration, and taking responsibility for group planning. New friendships were forged through shared rooms, mealtimes and evening games, and confidence grew from small challenges such as ordering food and representing the school in public venues.

Everyone involved is very appreciative of the generosity and support from our School Association and the support of local businesses for donations who made the trip possible. I would also like to acknowledge, the tireless behind the scenes work undertaken by our admin team to ensure we were well prepared. Thank you to the staff Emma McIntosh, Matt Pinkerton and Sam Smithurst whose supervision and planning ensured the trip ran smoothly. The students returned with new stories, strengthened friendships and fresh curiosity — a memorable example of experiential learning outside the classroom.