Students will work with a local community group or volunteer organisation, ranging from planting trees at Mt Noorat, building seating along walking trails in the region, building tree guards or propagating plants.

Local Learning Project 1: Students will team up with three others and begin planning a 20 minute lesson, which they’ll deliver to a visiting group of Grade 4 students the following week. The Grade 4 students come from a school in the local area, such as Mortlake, Terang, Noorat, Camperdown or Derrinallum.

Community Learning Project 2: Each school group will continue brainstorming and creating an action plan for bringing their Community Learning Project to fruition upon their return home.

Each evening, students write a relection upon their previous 24 hours. During this session, each student will spend time improving previous reflections, by adding greater detail and insight, whilst ensuring they are authentic and linked to one of the nine key Learning Concepts which form the basis of the curriculum at the School for Student Leadership.

Students prepare by setting an Expo 1 goal, organising and packing individual and group gear and food, planning routes and allocating team roles. Students discuss managing emotional responses of self and peers as well as draw links between stretching comfort zone and stress and functionality to build confidence for Expo 1.

The first of two expeditions, students undertake a 1-night, 2-day expedition on the Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail. One day is spent cycling 18kms between Naroghid and Glenfyne, where the students will set up their tents to camp for the night. The other day consists of a 12km hike from Glenfyne to Timboon. During the expedition, students engage in various roles, such as navigator or caterer, whilst also sharing reflections of their experience. This experience promotes learning and challenge in all nine of the Learning Concepts which underpin the SSL curriculum.

Students use photo evidence, feedback from their teacher and ‘feedback buddy’ and various analysis activities to reflect on their experiences during Expo 1. They set goals and prepare food orders for Expo 2 and update new learning on the Learning Concept pages on OneNote.

Each Saturday night, students spend time self-reflecting in the natural environment. This takes place in our designated outdoor ‘spirit spot’, under the canopy of native trees which were planted by past students of Gnurad-Gundidj Campus.