You're the voice; More than a tour: a rite of passage filled with wonder, challenge and unforgettable moments

Our annual Year 6 Canberra Tour is an immersive, real-world learning experience that extends far beyond the classroom.  

Across five extraordinary days, our Year 6 students immersed themselves in the story of Australia, exploring democracy, leadership, citizenship, history and national identity through authentic experiences in Canberra and Sydney. The tour was intentionally designed as a Junior School Dragon Explorer experience, developing independence, resilience, curiosity and courage in our students as they stepped beyond their comfort zones and into the wider world.

One of the defining highlights of the tour was our visit to Government House, where students had the privilege of meeting the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC. Her Excellency delivered a powerful and inspiring message to our girls about leadership, courage and advocacy.  

She encouraged them to “put their hands up and ask the hard questions” and importantly, “to keep putting their hands up.”  

It was a profound moment for our Year 6 students – particularly within a girls’ school context where empowering young women to find their voice is central to who we are at Penrhos College.

The Governor-General’s message aligned beautifully with Penrhos' strategic pillar of Blaze: empowering positive rebels to lead the way. At Penrhos, we want our girls to be courageous thinkers, compassionate leaders and confident contributors to society; Her Excellency reminded them that leadership is not about waiting quietly on the sidelines but about stepping forward, asking questions, speaking with conviction and being brave enough to contribute to change. For many students, this became a defining moment of the tour and one they will remember for years to come.

The educational experiences throughout Canberra connect directly to the Year 6 International Baccalaureate Unit of Inquiry, exploring government systems, citizenship, rights and responsibilities. Students visited Parliament House, Old Parliament House, the National Electoral Education Centre and the National Museum of Australia, developing a deeper understanding of Australia’s democratic system and the responsibilities of active citizenship. These experiences transformed classroom learning into something tangible and real – rather than simply reading about democracy in textbooks, students stood in the spaces where decisions are made and history is shaped.

The Australian War Memorial was another deeply significant experience, and where students participated in the moving “We Will Remember Them” ceremony and attended the Last Post Ceremony. The girls showed incredible maturity and respect throughout the visit that reflected the Penrhos values of empathy, integrity and compassion. Many students were visibly moved by the stories of courage and resilience, demonstrating the depth of understanding and reflection that can emerge when learning moves beyond the classroom.

The tour also embraced the Penrhos commitment to ‘Make Your Own Adventure.’ From snow play and tobogganing at Corin Forest, to Questacon by Night, bowling, travelling interstate with friends and exploring Sydney Harbour, students experienced challenge, joy and discovery together.  

A particular highlight for many students was our visit to Taronga Zoo, where the now-famous capybaras quickly became the stars of the day. Their calm nature and quirky personalities brought enormous excitement and laughter to the group, with countless photos, conversations and ‘capybara sightings’ becoming an ongoing theme of the tour. 

These shared adventures-built friendships, confidence and independence. For many students, this was their first extended trip away from home and represented an important rite of passage as they prepare for the transition into Secondary School.

Importantly, the tour also embodied the Penrhos commitment to ‘Find the Fun.’ Learning at Penrhos is never confined to four classroom walls. We believe childhood should be filled with wonder, excitement and meaningful experiences that inspire lifelong learning. The laughter during snow play, the excitement of visiting national icons, the joy of seeing capybaras up close and the simple pleasure of travelling together all contributed to memories that will last a lifetime. 

Experiences such as the Canberra Tour are only possible because of the extraordinary dedication, expertise and care of our Junior School teaching staff. Tours of this scale require countless hours of organisation, planning, supervision and pastoral care. More importantly, they require teachers who genuinely believe in the value of experiential learning and who are willing to go above and beyond to create meaningful opportunities for students.  

Throughout the tour, our staff demonstrated exceptional professionalism, warmth and commitment, which helped to ensure students felt safe, supported and encouraged to embrace every challenge and opportunity. Their energy and passion transformed the experience into something truly special. 

Most significantly, the Canberra Tour demonstrated what it means to ‘Be a Force for Good’ and our girls returned home with a deeper understanding of their capacity to contribute positively to the world around them. Inspired by leaders like Her Excellency Sam Mostyn, they were reminded that their voices matter; and that,

the future belongs to those who are willing to keep putting their hands up.