Wellbeing Wins
Year 9 Youth Week Excursion – Dream, Dare, Do
To celebrate Youth Week during Week 1 of Term 2, our Year 9 students participated in a special excursion inspired by the 2026 Youth Week theme, Dream, Dare, Do. The day encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones, explore new interests and think about the many pathways available to them in the future.
Students were able to choose from three unique venues, each offering different experiences connected to creativity, curiosity, wellbeing and personal growth.
At the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, students immersed themselves in the natural environment through guided nature walks and biodiversity exploration activities. As the largest botanic garden in Australia, the site spans more than 400 hectares and showcases over 4,000 species of native Australian plants. Students explored walking trails through bushland, learnt about native ecosystems and discussed the importance of conservation and sustainability. Many students particularly enjoyed the nature walk and journalling, and and others enjoyed learning about the role the gardens play in protecting endangered plant species through the Australian PlantBank.
Another group travelled to the Science Space at the University of Wollongong, where students engaged in a range of interactive STEM experiences. Highlights of the day included the immersive Planetarium presentation, where students explored space and astronomy in a full-dome theatre environment, as well as the exciting liquid nitrogen science show, which demonstrated scientific principles through dramatic experiments. Students also had the opportunity to interact with hands-on exhibits focused on physics, engineering and technology, encouraging curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills in an engaging and memorable way.
The third excursion option took students to the GIANTS Centre of Excellence, home to the training facilities of the GWS GIANTS AFL and Netball teams. Students were given a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to perform at an elite sporting level, including access to professional training spaces and the opportunity to observe athletes during training sessions. Workshops throughout the day focused on goal setting, resilience, teamwork and nutrition, helping students make connections between healthy habits, mindset and achieving personal success both on and off the field.
Across all three venues, students represented the school exceptionally well and embraced the spirit of Dream, Dare, Do. Whether they were exploring the natural world, experimenting with science or learning from elite athletes, the day provided valuable opportunities for students to challenge themselves, discover new passions and reflect on their future aspirations.
We thank all staff involved in supervising the excursions, and congratulate our Year 9 students on their enthusiastic participation and positive attitude throughout the day.
