Around the Grounds: 2025 Highlight Reel

It's the end of the school year!
Before we say goodbye and disappear into the holiday abyss, let’s jump back in time and revisit some favourite moments of 2025. There were the big events and achievements, but just as many quiet ones: the happy days, the fun days, the brave moments and the crazy ideas. 

Here’s your 2025 highlight reel...

To Enjoy: No early morning bakery dashes when the fridge is empty and the bread is stale. 
To Read: As much as you can, including some articles written by our experts in their fields, about teaching, learning and your kids - a few goodies below.
To Look Forward To: Coffee at home, not in the car. 

Beginnings

Whether you're three years old or approaching adulthood, the first days of anything are a big deal. The start of a new school year is filled with excitement, nervousness and a bustling, happy energy. For some students, it's their first time at school, and for others, their first days at Woodleigh. Some are starting senior school, have a new teacher, are finding out their Homestead or are going on their first camp. The first flowers of the year were blooming at the farm, the Futures Studio opened its doors for the first time, our yabbies were introduced to the aquaponic tanks, baby trees were in the ground and Hattah was a future problem. The junior kids had trees to climb, new toys to play with, friends to be made and water to swim in. Whatever it was, there was an energy in the air. 

Let’s look back to the beginning of 2025…

There was summer at one point.
Remember that?

Everybody swam and lined up for icypoles and killer pythons. It was dreamy. Summer may happen again one day. 

Comfort Zones were Pushed

Being brave is part of everyday life. Personal triumphs and stretching oneself when young and supported are a significant part of our growth. From Rites of Passage adventures like Hattah, to sitting exams, taking the microphone, raising your hand to speak in class, surfing for the first time or having a wet sponge thrown in your face - they're all equal acts of bravery; it just depends on who you ask. Kerrie?

The Opening of the Long-Awaited Futures Studio

2025's Year 10s took over their new home back in February this year - the first cohort to make the Futures Studio their own. The green roof flourished, potatoes grew wildly and so did their minds (the kids' minds, not the potatoes'). Inside the building, the Regenerative Futures Program (RFP) serves as a learning bridge between the MYP and VCE, helping students tackle real-world challenges through original thinking and collaboration. It combines classroom learning with hands-on projects - and outdoor adventures. Hattah takes them on a rite-of-passage journey to build their emotional strength. At the same time, the Stories of Me unit encourages them to share personal narratives, fortifying their sense of self, empathy and teamwork. It stretched their learning styles, and it stretched their patience and determination. The Futures Project was where it all came together, the final stage of the RFP. Some big-thinking and actionable solutions from this very savvy generation. In the words of Michelle Pitcher, Head of Regenerative Futures Program, it is to 'help students move from worry to a place of hope, agency and purpose.' 

Making the World a Brighter Place

The world will belong to our kids and they are learning to care for it. Environmentally, yes, but also socially and emotionally. Across our campuses, students have been planting trees, cultivating a kitchen garden, cooking and raising money for Minimbah's new greenhouse. There has been music and art galore, cultural exchanges and community outreach. The farm is thriving with produce, our resident Frank the Tank is growing and bleating, we've had visits from the Jersey Girls, beekeeping education (and a rare Blue Banded Bee sighting), camels and goats and we've even had our own pets at school!  

Family

And speaking of community, it's all of you. Schools are for kids and kids come with extended families, complex families, mums, dads, grandparents, step parents, pets, stories, nuance, histories, traditions - you name it. We have it. 

This year we celebrated Mother's Day, Father's Day and Grandparents' Day with early morning coffee, eggs and bacon, giant croissants and catch-ups. 

The Big Productions

Chicago, Aladdin, Winter and Spring Musicale, Perberkoong, Cambodia Night-
Inhale
Bunjil, Soiree, Cafe Concerts, Year 12 Drama Production to name, but a few. There is a stage for everyone at Woodleigh, and it's a real spotlight on the Woodleigh adventure. 

Adventures

Woodleigh is the school for Adventurous Minds. But our arms and legs can be adventurous too. Our camps aim to develop independence, resilience, collaboration and a deep connection to nature and community. Each stage builds progressively on students' skills. Wugularr, Hattah, Bali, Arapiles, Grampians, Golden Valley, Waratah Bay, Jungai, Three Capes, Waratah Bay, New Zealand, Wilsons Prom, Baw Baw, Sapphire Coast and many, many more. Here are some of the pics...  

Simple Joys

They're not all significant moments. Sometimes, just being with your friends, kicking the footy, cross country, trips to the city, farm life at ECC – even sitting on a rock at recess makes us happy.

Goodbyes

The Class of 2025 was a ripper. They were the COVID kids; lockdown hit as they began Year 7 – the same year that Mr David Baker became the new Principal of Woodleigh School.

Interesting times.

Now they are a very close-knit, high-achieving group and we will miss you all. However, they're far from gone. We will be bringing more Class of 2025 stories to you over the next week and into the new year. Stay tuned.