Around the Grounds: A bit of Everything

To Read: Rod Davies talks, Beyond the Learning Binary: Explicit Learning and Inquiry.
To Celebrate: We loved celebrating mums, all the special women in our lives, and croissants.
To Attend: Threads of Belonging – Gallery Floor Talk with Annika Romeyn
To RSVP: Pathways 2026 is on Tuesday 19 May. Parents and students in Years 9–12 can talk to Learning Area Leaders and tertiary representatives about options beyond Woodleigh. 

Year 6s trip to Canberra

Penbank and Minimbah kids were fortunate to enjoy perfect weather for their study tour in Canberra, a fitting backdrop for a week rich in learning, discovery and reflection. Each day was packed with opportunities for students to explore the systems and processes that shape the ways our country is governed. From Parliament House to the Australian War Memorial and the Royal Australian Mint, our students have leaned into each experience with curiosity and enthusiasm. As always, they continue to impress us with the depth of their thinking and their ability to connect new knowledge to their understanding of democratic life.

Their reflections bring this learning to life...

We are incredibly proud of the way our students have embraced the week, demonstrating resilience, curiosity and maturity throughout the experience. It was a smooth journey home after an unforgettable week.

Penbank Art - Drawing in Space

Wire Portraits of Australian Leaders: Students explored how to 'draw in space' by transforming line drawings into wire sculptures. Each student selected an Australian leader who has made a positive impact, many of whom showed courage and resilience in the face of challenges. Students focused on line, shape and proportion, carefully bending wire to create facial features. This process required patience, precision and problem-solving.

These works represent not just what these leaders look like, but what they stand for. Celebrating creativity, perseverance and the power to make a difference.

To Read: Rod Davies talks Beyond the Learning Binary: Explicit Learning and Inquiry.

Mother's Day Out at Ranelagh Club

Every year, we take a moment to celebrate the incredible mums and special ladies across our campuses – and we don't mean a croissant on the go (we do that too), but we're talking here about a proper sit-down lunch at a beautiful venue, where you can take a moment to catch up. And every year it's good.

This year, the sky wasn't though – it was grey and gusty outside, but inside – warm, full and buzzing. Raffles, a silent auction and the absolute highlight of hearing from our friend and alumna Leisa Wharington made for an afternoon to enjoy. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us.

Debating results

In exciting news. Woodleigh stepped into the Ethics Olympiad for the very first time, last week. Arguing with some of the biggest competitors — Scotch College, Melbourne Grammar, Wesley College, Toorak College, Brighton Grammar and more — our team came home in second place. On debut. If you cross paths with Isaac R, Rufus G, Sam M and Connor S, please stop and congratulate them. It was a massive day and they were magnificent. The story doesn't end there; the team has been invited to compete in the International Ethics Olympiad. Watch this space.

Hattah Expedition 2026

This year’s Year 10s arrived back from Hattah‑Kulkyne National Park for their signature desert expedition, regarded as the pinnacle of the Outdoor Ed program. Hattah is a challenge of persistence and as always, they returned with lasting memories, strengthened friendships and a deeper understanding of themselves. More to come when they've had time to put pen to paper about their time away.

Mother's Day breakfast across our Junior Campuses

To Keep Track: Pathways 2026

Artist in Residence, Annika Romeyn

We are thrilled to have had Annika Romeyn – winner of our inaugural Threads of Belonging Bursary – to Woodleigh. Annika is an acclaimed Australian visual artist working across drawing, painting and printmaking, with a career marked by major awards, residencies and commissions that span galleries and collections across Australia and the world. She has been working with students in the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Gallery, sharing skills and knowledge as a working artist. To conclude of her time at Woodleigh, Annika will lead an evening gallery floor talk – walking guests through key works, themes and the ideas shaping her practice. It's a very rare opportunity to hear a gifted artist speak in her own words.

We'd love to see you there.

Cross Country at Senior Campus

We don't even need to leave the school grounds. 

We ran for fun. We ran to win. We ran with friends, with legs flailing and, impressively, with the occasional broken limb. We cheered, we walked, we collapsed. We loved every minute of it. Congratulations to Homestead 2, your 2026 Cross Country champions!

Kitchen Garden at Minimbah

From the garden to the kitchen to the table and straight to the tummy.
Years 3 and 4 have been busy. After tending and cultivating their garden with care, it was time to enjoy the reward. Freshly picked herbs, prepped veggies and the very satisfying art of pinching your pastry. The smell of homemade dumplings drifting through the air said it all. There are few better lessons than this one.

Hattah Rites of Passage

The Hattah expedition has a sub-expedition full of extra challenges. They are welcomed home with a ceremony, with stories shared with family and Hattah friends. Plenty more to come here too...

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