Around the Grounds

Happy Friday.
This week we're roaming around the grounds, into the air and far away. Penbank's Year 6s are in the NT until Saturday, and Senior campus students are wrapping up Activities Week. There is a lot to see here. Have a read, and enjoy.

To Know: At Woodleigh, you can get your pilot's licence before your driver's licence. It's true. 
To Read: Woodleigh's Director of Learning Primary Years, Karen Chaur, talks about an IB education and what it means for our students, here at Woodleigh.
To Attend: Golden Years - Celebrating 50 Years of Woodleigh and you're all invited!

Wugullar

What happens when you take 11 and 12-year-olds from the Mornington Peninsula's winter and fly them 3,000 km north to a remote community 90 minutes from Katherine to catch up with friends?

Reunited, sharing stories, routines, jokes and culture. Kids will always be kids: they talk, they play, they crack each other up - and always find time to kick a footy. Looking through the photos, it’s hard not to feel a little envious. It's just that good. These moments open up new worlds, new friendships, new perspectives and they take with them unforgettable memories. Right now, our students in Beswick are living that magic. What an amazing opportunity to grow, explore and connect.

They will come home on Saturday, and we can't wait to hear everything.

Activities Week at Senior Campus

For one week every August, Woodleigh Senior Campus looks like....

Aviation: At 16, twins Jude and Henry undertook their first solo flights during Activities Week's Aviation Camp. They've been working hard to get into the sky, and it happened with perfect blue skies around them.

Yes, this is school!

On the snow: New Zealand (yes, New Zealand), Hotham and Falls Creek, from beginners to the most experienced, they had lessons, free ski and snowboarding time, slept like logs and did it all again the next day.

Adventure: Different camps ventured to different places for their adventures: escape rooms, missions, challenges, rock climbing, skating, esports, tours, bike riding and mazes. A nice way to break the school routine? Yes. 

In and on the water: Surfing, fishing and general good fun. Waratah Bay, Torquay, Frankston - waves and fish, well caught. 

To Read

More from Activities Week

Service: Mount Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre sits at the foothills of the You Yangs, and was established for the management of high conservation value species, which involves breeding and research programs. Woodleigh students visit regularly throughout the year, led by Doc Simpson. For Activities Week, students were involved in service programs that assist in teh management and upkeep of the site. 

Dance Camp is a week in the city, with workshops at teh Ministry of Dance in North Melbourne and the National Institute of Circus Arts in Prahran. Every year there is a balloting frenzy for this one, it's that good. 

Photos from Boite

On August 12, the Year 3 and 4 students travelled to Melbourne’s CBD to perform at the iconic Melbourne Town Hall as part of the BOITE Schools Chorus. They took part in the show Mai Fali Eh: Songs and Stories of Timor-Leste, learning eight songs and exploring the rich culture of East Timor. Through this experience, students not only developed their musical and performance skills but also deepened their understanding of Timorese history and traditions.

Adding to the significance of the event, the President of East Timor was in attendance, making the day feel even more memorable and meaningful for everyone involved.

At Boite I enjoyed singing in front of everyone and I was happy to shake the president of Timor-Leste’s hand – Zoe

When I high-fived the president, he also gave me a compliment which was ‘I loved your singing’ and that was when I felt amazing – Thea 

Kitchen Garden Design Build program at Minimbah

So many students have strong skills that they don't always get to use inside the classroom. Minimbah Years 3 and 4 have been designing and constructing bird houses. They take on roles, collaborating and really enjoying the program. 

The bird houses will be installed in the garden at Minimbah, and perhaps some will even be auctioned at the upcoming Kitchen Garden Twilight Concert. Stay tuned. 

Juniors: Mt Buller Interschools Snowsports Competition

This week, eight of our Junior Campus students proudly represented Woodleigh at the Mt Buller Interschools Snowsports Competition. Each student competed in both the Giant Slalom and the Ski Cross, with our snowboarder also taking on the Boardercross course.

We are so proud of their efforts and the way they represented Woodleigh. With such a positive experience this year, we look forward to seeing even more students join the fun and challenge of Interschools in 2026.

Woodleigh's Golden Years party - don't miss out on tickets.

Tickets here!

Event FAQs:

Who is this for?
Everybody!
Are you a current parent? You're in!
Your kids go to Penbank or Minimbah? You're in!
They're at Senior Campus? You're in!
You went to school here? You're in!
Your kids went to school here? You're in!
You work here? You're in?
You drove a Woodleigh bus back in the 90s? You're in, too!

It's a party. It's going to be ace. You should come!

What's included in the ticket price?
Everything apart from your outfit and transport! All food, wine, beer, soft drinks and entertainment are included.

Is it a sit-down dinner?
There will be places to sit, but it isn't a sit-down dinner.

The food service will be roaming, allowing all guests to mingle and chat, enjoying the atmosphere and company well beyond the radius of a ten-person table.

What's planned for the entertainment?
Live bands, soloists, a DJ and at least one surprise are all on the cards to keep the crowd entertained. There might be a little speechifying, but we will keep it to a minimum.

Where is it going to be held at the school?
Large parts of the night will be held in our beautiful outdoor surrounds. There will be plenty of heating and warm spots indoors, too!

Where do I park?
In keeping with the school's pioneering 70s spirit, we are planning something of a progressive dinner, moving through a couple of different spaces throughout the school. The parking, therefore, will be near Cruden Oval and the Science Building.

What if the weather is bad?
Please don't jinx us! If the weather is poor, we have plenty of indoor options and contingency plans in place. Book with confidence!

Can I wear heels?
High heels/stilettos are probably not a good idea. Because it's being held at Woodleigh's Senior Campus, you will encounter gravel, rock steps, and grassed areas. Best to choose a wedge heel or flats.

Who can I bring?
Bring whoever you want to bring, with the exception of current students. The more the merrier!

Ten years ago, we celebrated the Big 4-0 in style. Now, in 2025, let's turn it on for our Golden Years.

Friday, final morning in Wugullar School!

Greetings from our final morning at Wugularr School, NT. We’ve had an amazing week here, reconnecting with our Wugularr friends and families. The adventure was topped off by a camping trip to the stunning Beswick Falls, where we had time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, fish, swim, weave, paint, make clapsticks and damper and gather around the fire. Today, we’re packing our bags to begin the journey home and reflect on the wonderfully diverse, mind-opening connections and experiences we’ve shared.
Andy Khoza

Bye, for now Esther x

This week, we farewell Esther Holt as she begins her maternity leave. Thank you, Esther, for your incredible expertise in music and for sharing your passion and creativity with our students. We look forward to meeting your little one very soon and wish you all the best for this exciting new chapter with your growing family. We also extend a warm welcome to Bec McPhail, who joins us with many years of teaching experience both in Australia and internationally. Bec is a specialist in percussion and brings a strong passion for primary education.

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend, and I look forward to seeing you all next week back at Penbank.

Until we go around the grounds again next week....