Picture this...August 26th, 34 pumped-up students, and five fearless staff members ready to rock 'n' roll on the Spirit of Tasmania. The vibes were wild, from sweaty palms, to pure excitement.

Once we checked in, it was all aboard the ship as one big happy gang, not having the foggiest about what awaited us in the next week. Fast forward to Sunday morning alarm blaring at 5:45 AM, signalling our cue to disembark and kickstart the road trip to Hotham. Let me tell you, that drive was something else. Hours passed, we made a few pit stops, and finally, we touched down at the mountain.

Now, here's the kicker: most of us were first-timers when it came to snowboarding or skiing. Gear stashed in the lodge, we hustled over to Hotham Central to gear up. Little did we know, the Central had a curveball in store – scorching heat! Imagine this - we're all dressed up like polar explorers in a sauna. Talk about frustration!

But when the time came to embrace the new environment and learn some fancy new skills, the real adventure kicked off. First mission: to stand up. Believe me, most of us were better at sitting down, and that's exactly where we landed, often. Thommo, our fearless leader, then corralled us onto the chairlift and onto the mountain. Let's just say, some of us struggled mightily. The chairlift exit was like a ninja obstacle course, and that mountain, well, it was no bunny slope. Skis or no skis, it was a wild ride. Some made it down in style, while others took the scenic route on foot.

By Sunday night, we were all feeling a bit worn out and maybe even a tad defeated. But we had Mezz, the culinary wizard, to fill our bellies with a feast that was absolutely legendary.

Over the next few days, we got a taste of everything - good weather, bad weather, and even some ice. Ice was a whole new ball game. Some students chose to conquer it, others thought better of it. Sore knees, aching backs, and sore behinds were the order of the day.

Yet, in the end, it was all worth it. We're talking 360s, jumps, ollies - you name it, we nailed it. Living under one lodge roof turned out to be an adventure of its own. Uno, schoolwork (yes, really), music, stretching, and more games.

When it was time to say goodbye, there were mixed feelings all around. We were just getting the hang of this mountain business when it was time to pack up and go. But hey, we all left with some newfound wisdom, whether it was conquering the slopes or mastering the art of Uno.

A heartfelt thanks to Thommo, Jackie, Bronnie, Johnny and Emily for guiding and enriching this unforgettable experience with laughter and valuable life lessons. Many are already eager to return for another adventure in the near future.