Welcome back, everyone. We hope the holidays were exactly what you needed them to be—whether you travelled (like Peter, who is currently enjoying a European Summer), explored, rested or recharged. As we step into winter, I’m reminded of the Norwegian concept of hygge (hoo-guh): that beautiful sense of warmth, connection and comfort. Winter at GVL is about slowing down, gathering in, and digging into rich, meaningful learning together. It’s a time for deep conversations, trying something new, and building community in all its forms.
This winter, we’ve hit an exciting milestone—over 200 young people now call GVL home. With this growth comes more opportunity: more peer connections, more voices, and more depth to the experiences we offer. The Castlemaine campus is coming to life, with open afternoons on the 8th and 9th of August. It’ll be a campus shaped by story, community and young people being fully themselves. Meanwhile, we’ve seen amazing things at New Gisborne too—from Vern’s work with car restoration and tools, to Alicia’s ever-growing farm program, Emilie and Karen’s Creative and Design Hub, and a musical in full swing thanks to Emilie and Toby.
Our first-ever robotics team was named Rookie of the Year at the FIRST Tech Challenge—what a moment! We’re also trialling new leadership structures within hubs, like co-leadership in Exploration & Discovery. And we’re launching GVL Studio, sharing our approach with the wider education world and connecting with some of the most innovative learning communities globally. Alongside that, we’re stepping thoughtfully into the world of AI—not as a future skill, but a now literacy—while keeping our focus firmly on the human side.
Because, more than anything, GVL is about people. It’s about relationships, care, and creating the conditions where young people can feel safe, stretch themselves, and be part of something real. So as we rug up for this winter session, I hope we all find those hygge moments—warm, connected, and full of purpose.
With heart,
Pip and Peter
Our Growing Community / New Families
Our GVL community continues to grow, with around 230 Guides and learners now on-site each day for the winter session. With this growth comes a little more movement during drop-off and pick-up, so thank you for your continued patience, kindness and awareness during these busy times.
We’re especially pleased to welcome several new families from Castlemaine, who will be part of our New Gisborne campus community throughout the rest of 2025 as they prepare for the opening of our Castlemaine campus in 2026. Please join us in making them feel warmly welcomed and at home.
A big thank you as well to everyone who has recommended GVL to friends, family and colleagues. It’s clear that word of mouth continues to be our most powerful connection point—and we’re so grateful for the trust and support that reflects.
Castlemaine Gaol Campus update and Open Afternoons
We’re thrilled to share that settlement on the Castlemaine Gaol property is expected to occur in late July. Things are moving quickly behind the scenes: we’ve hosted a fantastic community info night at the Phee Broadway Theatre with over 200 attendees, submitted our second campus application to the VRQA, and are currently preparing our planning submission for Mount Alexander Shire Council. We’ve also welcomed a new café coordinator on board to help activate the site. Most excitingly, we’re opening the gates for our first Community Open Afternoons on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 August from 4pm – 6pm.
Come along, explore the space, and join us as we begin gathering stories and reimagining this historic site as a vibrant learning community. While we anticipate welcoming around 200 high school-aged learners to Castlemaine in 2026, there’s no expectation to move from New Gisborne—though the option will be there for those who wish. If you’re curious, feel free to have a chat with Beth. Some learners who will eventually join the Castlemaine campus are already starting with us this term at New Gisborne, and we’re delighted to welcome them to our community.
Clothing and Footwear
Winter has truly settled in across our campuses, and it’s cold out there! Please make sure your young person comes dressed in warm, layered clothing. Gumboots are a great option for navigating our wet grounds, and we recommend packing a full spare outfit—including socks—in their bag each day, all fully named, of course!
Also, please take a moment to check the lost property areas outside each Learning Hub. We’ll be donating unclaimed items to local charity stores soon, so pop by and have a look as soon as you can.
Sunrise and Sunset Club – Winter Session
Sunrise and Sunset Clubs will continue throughout the winter months, with some small changes in place. To support safety and wellbeing, all young people must now be signed in and out each day by a parent or guardian.
We’re also pleased to welcome Taylah to the Sunset Club team. Taylah brings warmth, creativity, and a calm, experienced presence, and will be working alongside the much-loved Kameka to ensure our afternoons are engaging and well-supported.
A reminder that Sunset Club finishes strictly at 5:00pm. Please make sure pick-up arrangements are in place, as supervision cannot be provided after this time.
We encourage all families to read the linked policies to stay up to date with how the program operates during the winter session.
Melton-Bacchus Marsh Bus Service
We’re making GVL more accessible for families living in the Melton and Bacchus Marsh areas, with a new transport option now available. This bus will run mornings and afternoons.
If this would support your family, fill in the EOI form linked below to express your interest and Beth will contact you with more details.
Our First Robotics Event Ever – and What an Amazing Debut!
Our very first outing into the world of competitive robotics was nothing short of extraordinary. The GVL Robotics Team—Ian, Ethan, Aariz, Archer and Charlie—represented our community with innovation, teamwork, and a fantastic sense of fun.
With support from mentors Janet, Pat, Richard and Pip, and a big helping hand from IC Robotics (the current Australian champions), our learners built and competed with Tam-Tam the Chicken Run—a robot complete with rubber chickens and a fox! Over three jam-packed days at Blackburn High School, our team joined forces with Koalafied and Unkoalafied to form a powerful alliance and took home the Rookie Inspiration Award. It was a celebration of curiosity, creativity and community connection—and just the beginning of our robotics journey at GVL.
Employment Opportunities
As our learning community continues to grow, so does our need for passionate, skilled adults to join the team. We’re excited to have recently welcomed a café coordinator for Castlemaine, and we’re currently on the lookout for a community cook or chef to join Alicia in preparing meals for our New Gisborne learners. With around 230 mouths to feed each day, this is a vital and rewarding role that will allow Alicia to focus more fully on her broader responsibilities as Resource Coordinator.
We’re also beginning the search for an experienced bus driver to support future transport needs. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for GVL, please head to our Work with Us page and share the job listings—we’d love to hear from you!
Exploration and Discover Hub Leadership
As we enter the new learning cycle, we’re excited to be piloting a co-leadership model in the Exploration and Discovery Developmental Learning Hub. Sabuhi Chishty, Paul Sargent, Bec Ramage and Maha Asif will now co-lead the hub, working closely together to support our learners and each other.
They bring a wealth of experience and care to the role, and are committed to open communication and shared decision-making. Each will have their own clear areas of responsibility and this will be communicated shortly.
2025 Musical
We are delighted to announce that our musical production this year will be the whimsical and vibrant Alice in Wonderland Jr! Following the tremendous success of last year’s Shrek performance, our talented learners are once again gearing up to deliver a magical experience. All our young people at GVL will be involved in some capacity—whether centre stage, behind the scenes, or supporting their peers.
Mark your calendars for the 23rd and 24th of October to join us as we journey down the rabbit hole together! We can’t wait to see our community come alive with creativity and excitement as we showcase the abundant talents within our GVL family.
Sibling Enrolments – New Gisborne Campus
As we approach capacity at our New Gisborne campus, we kindly ask families to enrol siblings as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you’re planning for a younger sibling to join GVL, please reach out to Beth to begin the enrolment process. Early communication helps us plan ahead and support a smooth transition for your family.
Little Villagers Playgroup — Tuesdays at GVL
We warmly invite younger siblings and future learners to join our Little Villagers Playgroup, held every Tuesday from 9:15 am – 10:15 am in the Foundations and Play Hub at Global Village Learning.
It’s a beautiful opportunity for little ones to explore and play while families connect with our Guides and get a feel for the GVL community.
Bookings are appreciated
Kitchen Volunteers Needed – Thursdays & Fridays
Alicia has a lot of mouths to feed these days, and we’d love a few extra hands in the kitchen! If you’re available to help out on a Thursday or Friday between 9:00am and 1:30pm, please give us a call or email agle@gvl.vic.edu.au. Even an hour or two makes a big difference—thank you!
New Guides
Dr Chris – Entrepreneurship & Social Impact Hub
We’re delighted to welcome Dr Chris Wilson to the Global Village Learning team. Chris brings over 30 years of diverse experience in education and research, having worked across primary, secondary, and tertiary settings. He holds a PhD in Media History, a Graduate Diploma in Education, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Geography—reflecting his strong academic foundation and deep commitment to lifelong learning.
Throughout his career, Chris has contributed as a social scientist, historian, museum curator, university lecturer, and research development specialist. He has a rich background in designing engaging, inclusive learning experiences and is especially passionate about the humanities, critical thinking, and community connection.
Chris’s thoughtful, calm presence and depth of expertise make him a valuable addition to our learning community. We’re thrilled to have him at GVL.
Dave – Cafe Coordinator, Castlmaine Campus
We’re very pleased to welcome Dave Hart as our new Café Coordinator at the Castlemaine campus.
Dave brings a rich and eclectic background across hospitality, retail, digital marketing, and the arts—along with a deep commitment to community and creativity. Most recently at Daylesford Cider Company, Dave oversaw the front-of-house service, events and digital presence. Before that, he held roles ranging from retail management in health food stores to running his own much-loved woodfired pizza restaurant for eight years. His experience spans both hands-on kitchen work and the behind-the-scenes systems that keep things running smoothly.
Dave’s also been involved in event management, performance, and visual arts, and is currently completing a Certificate IV in Visual Arts through Bendigo TAFE. He brings a mix of grounded, practical skill and creative energy to the role—and we’re excited to see how the café becomes a vibrant gathering place under his care.
Pop in, say hi, and stay tuned for what’s on the menu!
Jodie – Exploration & Discovery Hub
Jodie N brings a rich and varied background to the GVL community, with formal qualifications in education and outdoor leadership, and over two decades of experience in outdoor learning, nature-based programs, and community facilitation.
With a Bachelor of Education (Outdoor Education and Music), Jodie is a VIT registered guide who has worked across a wide range of educational and community settings—including alternative schools, outdoor education organisations, and early childhood nature play programs. Her work has included guiding bushwalks, running creative nature-based sessions, coordinating events, and designing programs that build confidence, connection, and real-world capabilities.
Jodie’s career has also taken her far beyond the classroom—cycle touring through 33 countries, facilitating community art programs, and leading bushcraft and nature play experiences for young children and families. Her approach is grounded, curious, and deeply relational, creating learning environments where young people feel safe to explore, take risks and grow.
She is excited to be joining Global Village Learning, where her love of the outdoors and commitment to learner-led, hands-on education align beautifully with our values. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the team.
Nicole – Foundations & Play Hub
Nicole M joins Global Village Learning with over 20 years of experience in early childhood and primary education. She holds a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and a Bachelor of Science from Deakin University, and brings both depth and versatility to her role.
Across her career, Nicole has led year-level teams, designed developmentally aligned programs, and mentored fellow educators in best practice pedagogy. Her strengths span classroom teaching, curriculum leadership, literacy intervention, and supporting smooth transitions into school life. She has also worked extensively with neurodivergent learners, informed by both her professional training and personal experience as a homeschooling parent.
In addition to her classroom work, Nicole is a qualified parenting coach who brings a calm, responsive and trauma-informed approach to learning. She is deeply passionate about learner-led education, guided by play, curiosity and connection.
Nicole is excited to join the Foundations and Play Hub, drawn to GVL’s values of co-creation and community. Families can look forward to her warm presence, inclusive practice, and whole-village spirit as she partners with you on your young person’s learning journey.
Pat – Resources Hub
We’re excited to welcome Pat D to the GVL community. Pat brings a broad and practical skillset across IT, public service, and hands-on technical work—alongside a calm, grounded presence and a strong commitment to helping others.
Pat holds a Bachelor of Information Technology from RMIT, specialising in Games and Graphics Programming. He also brings a Diploma of Public Safety from his time with Victoria Police and a Certificate IV in Government Investigations. His career includes roles as a web developer, a senior investigator with the Department of Justice, and nearly a decade of service as a frontline police officer.
Pat has a long-standing passion for technology, electronics, and the outdoors. He’ll be supporting our IT systems and infrastructure, and lending his skills to real-world projects involving design, repair, and digital systems.
Pat is also joined on campus by his assistance dog, Lucy, whose gentle nature and loyal companionship are already making her a much-loved part of the village.
Known for his practical know-how, thoughtful approach, and truly terrible dad jokes, Pat is a great fit for GVL’s hands-on, learner-led environment. We’re thrilled to welcome Pat (and Lucy) to the team.
Sheri – Foundations & Play Hub
We are delighted to welcome Sheri M to Global Village Learning. Sheri brings a diverse and compassionate skillset to her role as Guide, with experience spanning education support, disability care, wellbeing, and creative enterprise.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management Communication from Deakin University, along with a Certificate III in Education Support and additional studies in disability, cultural awareness, and mental health first aid. Sheri has supported young people in both mainstream and multisensory environments, including within the NDIS, where her work is guided by empathy, responsiveness, and a strong commitment to inclusion.
As the founder of Wellseekers, Sheri has spent over two decades creating wellbeing programs and resources that support people to connect with themselves and others. Her background in communication, coaching, and holistic practice enriches her ability to support learner agency, reflection, and emotional safety.
Sheri’s long-standing engagement with community organisations, including Vision Australia, further reflects her dedication to connection, access and care. Her warm, intuitive presence and creative spirit make her a wonderful addition to the GVL team.
We’re thrilled to welcome her to the village.
Sophie – Entrepreneurship & Social Impact Hub
We’re pleased to welcome Sophie W to the GVL community. Sophie brings a wealth of experience supporting young people and families, with a strong focus on wellbeing, creativity, and meaningful connection.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) from RMIT and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management. Sophie is currently completing a Master of Teaching, further deepening her practice as an educator.
Across her career, Sophie has worked in diverse school and community settings, designing and leading experiences that support emotional wellbeing, encourage curiosity, and foster belonging. Drawing on approaches inspired by Montessori education, she brings a calm, reflective presence and a strong capacity to build trust with learners of all ages.
Sophie’s blend of care, creativity and insight makes her a wonderful fit for GVL—and we’re thrilled to have her on board.
