Each Wednesday afternoon, as the final school bell echoes through the grounds of 91制片 at St John's Campus, a small group of students lace up their runners, shoulder their backpacks, and head for the hills. At 3:30 pm, the Trailblazers Run Club begins.
What started as a handful of eager runners has steadily grown over the past year into something far greater than a training group. Together, students from Years 4鈥�6 leave behind the classrooms and step into the winding trails surrounding our community鈥攂reathing in fresh air, climbing hills, splashing through puddles after rain and discovering what they are capable of one stride at a time.
Most weeks, our runners explore the peaceful tracks of the Waite Arboretum or tackle the Waite Loop behind the university, where gum trees sway overhead and the dirt paths twist through the Adelaide hills. The runs are challenging enough to build endurance, yet welcoming enough that every child feels they belong.
That spirit of friendship and belonging has become the heartbeat of Trailblazers.
This is not a group reserved only for the fastest runners. It is an inclusive space for all abilities鈥攁 place where encouragement matters more than pace, where older students support younger runners, and where friendships form naturally between students who may never have crossed paths during the school day. In a coeducational environment, the social connections built along the trails have been just as valuable as the kilometres covered.
For some students, Trailblazers has become a stepping stone into cross country and athletics competition. For others, it is simply an opportunity to move, improve fitness, challenge themselves and experience the joy that comes from running outdoors with friends.
There is something quietly powerful about children choosing movement after a long day of learning, about tired legs finding strength on a steep hill, about hearing laughter echo through the trees, and about seeing confidence grow with every run completed.
The Trailblazers Run Club continues to build not only stronger runners, but also resilient, connected and courageous young people.
"I like being active and running with my friends." 鈥� Zara
"I love running and being fit, but especially grabbing an ice cream from Bill in the summertime." 鈥� Harriet
"I like to run and hang out with my friends on a Wednesday afternoon. It鈥檚 great practice for cross country." 鈥� Zoe
"I love running on all the different trails like Waite Arboretum, up The Glen, and the fast downhills of the Tank Trail." 鈥� Ada
If your child is interested in being involved, don't hesitate to contact me聽for more information.
Mark Routley
Year 3 Teacher
