School for Student Leadership

Hi I’m Ellie and I spent all of last term participating in the school for student leadership (or SSL) program at the don valley campus with two other students from our school. My highlight of the program was definitely going on expo (expedition) 2, a two-night hiking expedition in the cathedral ranges with my expo group. It was awesome learning more about camping and outdoor activities in general but also the views we got to see. For example, on our last morning we went on a 5am hike to ten fathom ridge and watched the sunrise while eating our breakfast it was amazing.  

The best thing I learnt from the program was to be more confident and give everything a go. After being exposed to so many new experiences like white water canoeing, rock climbing, camping and even just chopping wood, I now realise that so many good things can come out of just giving something a go, instead of staying conservative and potentially missing out on so many amazing experiences. Apart from the life skills part of the school, something I took away from it was a whole new group of friends from all over Victoria, people that I feel so close to now it’s hard to believe I only knew them for 8 weeks. Some skills I can bring back from my experiences to the Heathmont community is acting on issues and even just volunteering for things instead of waiting for someone else to do it or ask me to. I can also use this to encourage my friends and those around me to take initiative and instead of talking about it, just doing it.   

Ellie Westerveld

Year 9