The Silver Qualifying Journey at Wilsons Promontory was one of my favourite Duke of Edinburgh experiences so far. The eight students in our group worked extremely effectively as a team.
Some of the highlights of the trip included the incredible wildlife encounters, especially the wombat we saw wandering along Squeaky Beach and another that tried determinedly to claw its way into our tent. Preparing meals together each evening was a lovely part of the experience, made even more memorable by the many birds that came to visit. The scenery was truly spectacular, with stunning coastal views at every stage of the journey.
The second day presented the greatest challenge. We hiked approximately 17 kilometres in hot conditions, which required strong mental and physical endurance. Good communication made a significant difference, since we checked in with each other regularly and paused when anyone needed rest. We also managed our food and water carefully to ensure that everyone remained capable and comfortable throughout the walk.
For anyone preparing for a similar journey, the best advice would be to embrace the challenge, encourage one another, and find reasons to laugh along the way. Talking with both teammates and fellow hikers creates a positive atmosphere that helps the kilometres pass more quickly. Overall, this camp allowed me to grow in resilience, teamwork, and confidence, and I feel very proud of what we accomplished together.
Nia Oliver - Year 10
The year 10 Japanese class are back from their exciting excursion to the city. The students have been learning how to compose conversations in Japanese, including introducing themselves and places, what to eat and drink, making recommendations, and much more. On Wednesday, 29th October, this class was lucky enough to showcase their hard work in our very own Melbourne City.
To share their learnings, students became tour guides for a day by visiting all Japanese locations in the city, such as the Hello Kitty cafe in Melbourne Central, or the famous brand Onitsuka Tigers in the Emporium. In groups, students filmed these places in a video, explaining the locations, significance, prices and everything there is to know, speaking only in Japanese.
The highlight was exploring the many Japanese businesses here in Melbourne. More than we imagined! The students also met a Japanese news reporter who interviewed them on the recent social media ban for teenagers.
This video has created a wonderful gift for MSJ students to give to their homestay families in the upcoming Japan exchange program! As well as a wonderful memory to look back on.
This was such a fun excursion that we will never forget.
Eloise Burrett - Year 10
At the end of last term, our Year 9 ODE/Duke students travelled to Anglesea for their practical camp. This experience gave students the opportunity to apply the skills they had been developing throughout the program - from navigation and teamwork to leadership and problem-solving - in a real outdoor setting.
The camp was a fantastic chance for students to embrace new challenges, step outside their comfort zones, and build confidence while enjoying the beautiful coastal environment. It was wonderful to see their classroom learning come to life through hands-on experiences and shared adventures.
