Outside The Classroom... 

Artwork: Sammy Avery, Year 12, Ridgeway Campus 

Annie Nguyen, Year 9, University Campus 

During my first semester at the University Campus, I was presented with new opportunities and challenges. In the final week of semester one, Year 9s had the opportunity to take part in Challenge Week at University Campus — a week dedicated to stepping outside our comfort zones, trying new things, and connecting with new people. My program was Wellbeing Week, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of the year.  

The week kicked off with a trip into the city, where I went ice skating and rock climbing. Both activities tested my balance, strength, and confidence. Over the next few days, I had the chance to listen to inspiring guest speakers and take part in hands-on workshops led by professionals in wellbeing and health. At La Trobe University Indoor Sports Centre, I explored different ways to stay active, from pilates and yoga to squash and gym training.  

One of the biggest challenges I faced was completing a 26-kilometre bike ride along the scenic Yarra Trail. It was tough, but incredibly rewarding. Later in the week, I enjoyed a calming 5km hike from Bushrangers Bay to Cape Schanck Lighthouse in the Mornington Peninsula, surrounded by stunning coastal views. 

It was a relaxing yet exciting week, filled with laughter, new friendships, and a wealth of knowledge on how to maintain a healthy, happy lifestyle. I left Challenge Week feeling proud, refreshed, and motivated to keep challenging myself in the future. 

Curtis Sailah & Nate Anderson, Year 7, Plenty Campus 

Last term the Year 7s went on a science excursion to the zoo, and it was one of the best days ever! When we first arrived, we could hear all kinds of noises—birds chirping, monkeys calling and even a lion roaring in the distance. Our teacher gave us a map, and we started exploring straight away. 

The first animals we visited were the meerkats. They kept popping their heads up to look at us, almost as if they were guarding their home. They became our favourite animals of the day because they were small, quick and so cute. We even named our favourite two meerkats Timone and Jeffey. 

Next, we visited the monkeys. They were swinging from ropes, climbing branches, and making funny noises. They were so playful that we could have watched them all day. 

After that, we went to see the giraffes. They were taller than we imagined, and their long necks reached the highest branches. A zookeeper was feeding them and we got to see their long purple tongues wrap around the leaves. We learned that giraffes only sleep for about 30 minutes a day, which is amazing. 

We also learned a lot about ecosystems, food chains, and food webs. An ecosystem is made up of living things, like animals and plants, and non-living things, like water, soil, and sunlight, all working together in a habitat. A food chain shows how energy moves when one animal eats another—for example, grass is eaten by a zebra, and the zebra is eaten by a lion. A food web is lots of food chains linked together. Seeing the animals helped us understand how each one plays an important part in keeping the ecosystem balanced. 

By the end of the day, we were tired from walking, but we had learned so much and seen so many amazing animals. On the bus home, we couldn’t stop talking about our favourite parts. We had so much fun, and we wish every school day could be like this one!