All partnerships are designed to develop respectful young people, who feel ready to play their role in social justice across the globe – people who embody their values and understandings, and act upon them. Our young people are encouraged to embrace diversity and celebrate individual differences. All components are immersive and underpinned by strong relationships developed over many years.

Students will:

• Develop greater awareness and understanding of global issues
• Gain attention to life outside of the safe and secure environment of the Mornington Peninsula
• Practical opportunities to further develop independence, resilience, and initiative in more challenging environments
• Experience and be inspired by how individuals can make a difference
• Develop life skills through experiences that will require courage, generosity, imagination, and resolution
• Tangible ways to embrace the importance of service to others, global responsibilities, and cultural understandings
• An opportunity to co-develop projects and tackle global issues
• Challenge and confront tokenism and the belief in the superiority
• Foster understanding, goodwill, respect, and friendship

Broadening Horizons opportunities for 2023 include the following national and international trips:

• International Round Square Conference, Kenya: Ocotber 2023
• Round Square International School: October 2023
• French Immersion: December 2023 to January 2024
• Indonesia Immersion: December 2023
• Cambodia Partnership: December 2023
• Vietnam Partnership
• Operation Wallacea, Indonesia: dates TBC
• Laynhapuy: Activities week, term 3, 2023
• Ampilatwatja: Activities week, term 3, 2023

For further information, download the Broadening Horizons 2024 Handbook.

To Apply

There is a selection process for students which may involve a written application and interview by a panel of staff and students who have previously been involved. The Expression of Interest form is available in the Broadening Horizons 2024 Handbook.

The coordinator of each program will then run at least one additional Information Session pre-departure. If you have any questions or comments in the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact Gareth Bolch, Dreictor of Community, Culture and Student Experiences.

GARETH BOLCH
Deputy Principal - Community, Culture and Student Experiences
gbloch@woodleigh.vic.edu.au

Ampilatwatja Partnerships

The remote township of Ampilatwatja is a 4-hour drive, on a long, red, desert road, northeast of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.

It is the home of the Alywarre people, with a transient population of approx. 300-500.

Ampilatwatja is not open to the public. You need a permit, and an invitation from the community to enter. This is a closed, dry community, they have very few visitors and Woodleigh is the only school who visit.

Woodleigh and Ampilatwatja School have been in a partnership for 14 years. The connection began through a former Woodleigh student, who became a teacher, and worked at Ampilatwatja school.

When we visit the community, we stay and volunteer at the school. Deep friendships and connections have been made over the years. Students, staff, and elders from Ampilatwatja school also visit us at Woodleigh.

Reflection from Ella Jones- 2022 visit to the community

“Most days I spent the morning on the Ampilatwatja school bus which picks up kids and families from their houses around the community. This was a great way to meet a lot of the students in a more relaxed and informal setting before walking into school with them for breakfast, sport and classes.

During the school day, I mostly worked with the kinder kids where I had the very important and difficult role of acting like a four-year-old. During my time there, I enjoyed many wooden cakes at the play shop, gave plenty of piggybacks and played many MANY games of basketball.

I really appreciated the chance to just be with the kids, and play in their company, often without ever talking. It was refreshing not to approach the school feeling like we had something better to offer them/ and instead/ properly embrace the relationships and connections as shared experiences.”

The Woodleigh - Ampilatwatja partnership provides students with an amazing opportunity to experience life in a remote Aboriginal community. And for the students of Ampilatwatja, it is a chance for them to share their lives with us, and to journey off country, to Melbourne and Woodleigh.

This is a unique opportunity to experience life in a remote Aboriginal community, in the centre of Australia.

For more information contact Carey Saunders in Jago, or email csaunders@woodleigh.vic.edu.au

Carey Saunders- Head of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Programs