Led by Federation University student mentors, the Ararat year 10s joined Wonthaggi Secondary College students for a four-day camp on Maria Island in Tasmania.

Anglicare Victoria’s Hike to Higher Education program provides students considered at risk of not completing their high school education, or who come from disadvantaged circumstances, with mentors from similar backgrounds.

Ararat College teacher Bec Andrew, who hiked with students, said the informal mentoring environment really helped to open the eyes of students to alternate education pathways and to keep striving for opportunities – even if they did not feel that successful in their studies at the moment.

“It was inspiring to see them push themselves and achieve,” Ms Andrew said. “The hikes were amazing, both were really hard, and they had some amazing views.”

Federation University regional engagement officer and masters student Josh Lloyd said their role was to share their personal experiences in conversations that evolved naturally rather than be forced upon the students. 

“Whether it is walking along the coast or sitting down to have your morning tea, the kids will naturally gravitate towards you,” Mr Lloyd said. “It is important that these kids hear that (the mentors) might have struggled through year 12 or didn’t get that ATAR they wanted or took a gap year, and that there are other means of getting to where you want to go.” 

The students were given team building exercises and pushed to their limits on two hikes – one about 25 kilometres long, and the second a climb that was about 15km. 

 “They can look back and see how far they have come,” Mr Lloyd said.

“We tell them as you go through life, and especially school, it is going to be challenging but at the end of the day you just have to put one foot in front of the other and you will make it to the top.”