“At Woodleigh School, we encourage students to step off the production line, push the boundaries of expression and respond in interesting and different ways to the challenges they face in the world,” says principal Jonathan Walter.  

“From the play and inquiry-based programs in our Early Learning Centres at our Minimbah and Penbank Campuses, through to the VCE years at Woodleigh Campus, ours is an environment that supports original, creative thought and focuses on the development of increasingly complex and sophisticated processes of thinking.

“Throughout the curriculum at Woodleigh, learning tasks are designed to elicit the highest level of creative thinking from our students.  Students are encouraged to tackle problems and investigations in innovative ways, to challenge and test theories and engage in the process of pushing their own boundaries to break through to deeper levels of understanding.

“No one can predict the details of what the students of today will need to know in 10 or 20 years’ time.  What we do know, however, is that as our learning and workplace landscapes change, the human capacity to be creative, to solve problems and think analytically will only grow in importance.”

Meanwhile, Woodleigh’s director of community relations, Adam Liddiard, has some advice for Year 12s about to sit exams: study hard, but not so hard that everything else suffers.

“Remember to eat and rest well, to keep up the water, to take breaks to stretch or surf, to have a dance or play with the dog.

“Seek help when you require it, offer help when you see (or sense) it is needed.  Take time to celebrate the things you have achieved already, with the understanding that there is still plenty to be done.

“And don’t forget - when you’re in the exam room and you’re ready and raring to go, read the question.  Read the question. Then, read the question again.

“Best wishes to all and thank you for the memories.”