Around the Grounds

Happy Friday, Woodleigh!
We’re incredibly lucky to have the Elisabeth Murdoch Gallery at our Senior Campus; a beautiful space that set the scene for the opening night of Arts Week. The evening began with a free -flow through the gallery, into the arts courtyard, up to the Science Project Room and into the hall. Below are some highlights from the night, with many more photos coming next week. 

To Read: Woodleigh's Director of Wellbeing, Dan Lukies, talks about the link between wellbeing and academic success - and the magic of long-term life satisfaction.
To See: Woodleigh Spring Musicale 2025 - Iconic in reputation and in theme.
To Do: Get to the Somers Arts Fair, Somers Primary School’s most important annual fundraising event, where Woodleigh's Year 7s will showcase their sculpture. 

Trashun baby

No staples. No sticky tape. Yes creativity.

What began as a frustrating challenge turned into a runway of pure resourcefulness as Penbank’s Years 3 and 4 transformed odds and ends into fashion

From garbage bag capes to soft drink can hats, and debris sandals (marketable, yes?), our everyday trash made a glamourous splash. Originality needs no budget; it needs wild ideas and teachers with endless enthusiasm.

Arts Week Opening night

On Monday night, the Elisabeth Murdoch Gallery, Project Room and the Hall were alive with the vibrant, thought-provoking work of our Year 12 artists and designers and drama students, as we kicked off this year’s Arts Festival.
There was heart and soul on display, and this year’s festival theme, Human Kindness was felt in every brushstroke, lyric and thread. Thank you to our Monday visiting artists, artists and rappers Grey Ghost and N’fa Jones, textile artist Phong Chi Lai and advocate for inclusion and CEO of the Victorian Pride Centre, Paul Horwell.

To Read 

JJ De Jeu

Over the school holidays, Year 12 student Nadia placed third in the Senior Novice Dressage event at the Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships in Sydney, such an impressive feat. Nadia and JJ De Jeu stood out in a field of talented riders, earning their spot on the podium. 

If you have Facebook, click on this short reel to get a feel for the event - you'll spot Nadia towards the end, riding towards the camera on the big bay horse.

To See

Frank the Tank

Pop culture quiz: What is 'Frank the Tank' energy?
Answer: Leading with wild, unstoppable school spirit. That kind of energy.

Looks; deceiving. Namesake; nailed it. This is Frank. A sweet, tiny Tank who has taken the school by storm. Frank lives at Woodleigh now and rolls through the grounds with pure Tank energy. 

We'll check in with Frank and his Tank status regularly, promise. 

Minimbah Trash

This is a story we'll be following.
At Woodleigh, inquiry begins early. This year, Minimbah’s youngest learners investigated their school’s waste system, asking not just what, but why and what now? They identified problems, proposed solutions and, with support, transformed their environment. Sixty-seven bins became one central station, compost flourished, costs dropped and students gained real agency over the systems they use every day.

Year 12 farewell assembly

The Class of 2025 took to the stage for their farewell assembly. The year is not over yet - plenty more to come - but Woodleigh is a place that becomes a home, so a proper send-off is the way. This year, we say goodbye to some big personalities and BIG voices. Long after they leave the day-to-day of Woodleigh, they will remain a part of its history. 

Next week the celebrations continue, songs and laughs and memories...

The Wishing Post

Mr Colcott's been at it again. We lost him to another school for a while, but he's back, and he's not allowed to go anywhere, again. 
Some handiwork from his class this week - the undeniably beautiful work of his Year 7 class, crafted from a single cypress log, to 'honour the stories embedded in the grain of pirates and surfers, stargazers and wishmakers.' Gah. It pays homage to 'the old stump' at Somers Beach, a sacred symbol of connection between people, place and time. 

We will have photos of the finished product soon.

Much more than a few nice posters

The Year 9 MYP Community Project is more than just a curriculum requirement – it’s a launchpad for empathy, action, and real-world learning. It’s a project where students engage with issues they care about, connect with their communities and develop skills they’ll need to thrive as thoughtful, engaged citizens.
What makes this project so powerful is its authenticity. Students aren’t just learning about the world, they’re really stepping into it.
Take Joe, Charlie and Lachie, who created ‘FamilyHealthNest’, a website that provides informational support for children whose family members are going through medical struggles. This wasn’t a hypothetical exercise; it was a project with real actions and real impact. In a world that needs compassionate and capable humans, the MYP Community Project is helping to grow them one idea, one action, one student at a time.

Year 10 formal

What? We wear suits and dresses to school every day - always upholding the Woodleigh dress code.

Jokes. It was the Year 10 Formal - you should've seen the dance moves. Good and mostly wholesome fun was had by all.