On Wednesday the 12th of June, all year 8 students attend the Year 8 Vitality Voyage.

The Year 8 Vitality Voyage is a new initiative at Geelong High School for 2024. It developed from our understanding that Year 8 is a pivotal time in a student’s educational journey, marked by transitions, growth and the ongoing development of key skills and attitudes. The Vitality Voyage program has been developed in recognition of this stage with a focus on enhancing engagement, team-building and personal growth.

Students participated in diverse activities and experiences designed to foster holistic development and create lasting memories. See below for a summary of each voyage.

Congratulations to all students involved, it was a great day.

Tessa Kirk
7-9 Curriculum Leader

Performing Arts Voyage

Students attended the performance of the Broadway sensation WICKED at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne. The musical performance looks at what happened in the Land of Oz... but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships... until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”

“The day was great. We got to interact with students we wouldn't normally interact with and share our interest in musical productions. The performance of Wicked was breathtaking. We also got to discover little things about the theatre process and how hard it is to put a production like this together”.

• Sophia Viveiros (8CA)

“The performance of Wicked was amazing. I was so happy I chose Wicked. It was great to be able to select a voyage we wanted. It was great to spend the day with students that also liked the same thing. My favourite moment of the show was the song ‘Defying Gravity’ when the actress was lifted into the air - the applause the actor got was crazy!”

• Molly Edwards (8CB)

Creative Arts Voyage

Students attended one of the Melbourne Art Class studios where they were taught Sumi-e, the ancient art of Japanese brush painting. Traditionally, paintings feature subjects from nature, such as flowers and birds. The experience of Sumi-e brings a sense of peace and harmony to the artist, and finished artworks are created to arouse the same sense of joy and tranquillity in the viewer.

The artist who ran the workshop, Junko, is an award-winning artist. She has exhibited widely in Japan and Australia, and her work, Bamboo Grove and the dragonfly, is in the permanent collection at the National Gallery of Victoria.

“This day was good. I loved getting to hang out with my friends and doing something I like. We learnt how to paint with ink, painting some bamboo and an owl in black and white, learning the different brush strokes. It was a great experience.”

• Isabel De Vries (8MA)

“This day was really fun. We all learnt how to master a Myki in Melbourne. In the workshop, we got to ground some ink and mix it with water to paint an owl and some bamboo. The artist, Junko, was great and taught us how to do different brushstrokes. Junko was a great instructor and also very patient. The whole day was a great experience being able to hang out with new people but also spend time with friends and do what you love with them. The only disappointment was to have left my painting on the train on the way home.”

• Emma Bailey (8MA)

Wanderer’s Voyage

Students caught the train to Melbourne and visited some of Melbourne's famous sites. These included Flinders Street station, Hosier Lane, ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image), Federation Square and the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria).

“I really enjoyed seeing some awesome sites in Melbourne. The graffiti wall was cool as well as the museums and the shopping. The best part was getting to eat food and purchase lollies at ‘Suga’ at Flinders Street Station. This day was a great way to bond with people you don’t know very well.”

• Lauchy Comtesse (8BA)
  

Gamers Voyage

Students who attended this voyage, experienced a virtual reality team-based escape game that required good teamwork, problem-solving, lateral thinking, and communication. Students interact with each other in amazing worlds, everyone finding a contributing role in the unique virtual reality experience.

“I really liked the day, particularly that we got to stop for lunch and visit the lolly shop. The VR game was great, we got to climb a building and disable a rocket made by terrorists to save the world. My group achieved the mission with 20 seconds remaining. It was a great experience going to Melbourne and I liked looking at the tall buildings. It was a really fun experience and it was great to realise how many other students enjoy gaming too.”

• Paige McQueen (8CA)

“The day was really fun, I enjoyed it because you don’t get time at school that often to hang out with like-minded people. The VR game was fun, we chose to do a puzzle horror that was a bit scary. It got us to think about how to work together as a team and we solved the puzzle successfully. I would recommend the voyage program because it's fun and you can find out more about people who are interested in the same things as you or take it as an opportunity to spend more time with friends you already have.”

• Winston Hubers (8BB)

Food Voyage

Students on this voyage took part in a captivating exploration of Melbourne's rich culinary landscape, blending culture, history, and the vibrant flavours that define this dynamic city. Our knowledgeable guides lead the way, providing fascinating insights into the cultural cuisines that have shaped Melbourne's culinary identity.

“The day was really fun. The tour guides were really nice and it was great that we got to get out and experience and learn about parts of Melbourne. I enjoyed tasting all of the different foods. My favourite food was the cannoli - it tasted like cheesecake.”

• Addison Key (8LB)

“It was really great getting to explore different places in Melbourne. My favourite food to try was the rice paper rolls. I think it was a great program and it should be continued because we got to explore Melbourne and got to make some new friends.”

• Adalyn Alsop (8MA)

Adventure Voyage

Students on this voyage embarked on an epic adventure to Melbourne's very own surf oasis, Urbnsurf! Students participated in a learn to surf experience followed by a surf in ‘The Bays’ which offered safe, gentle, rolling green and whitewater waves perfect for those who are learning to play in the waves.

“I enjoyed the surf. I had not been there before. I learnt more about how to surf. Caught a few waves able to stand. The day was worthwhile. The highlight of the day was hanging out with friends and having a break from school work. It was interesting and fun and I would recommend it for future Year 8’s.”

• Chase West (8CA)

“It was a great day and I really enjoyed the free time we got to surf. I surf often but I had not been to Urbnsurf before. This venue was great as the waves were consistent compared to the beach so it was easier to practise. I would recommend this excursion as it’s different from school and lets you experience something we have not done before.”

• Ella Hurley (8LB)