Loganlea State High School

Heaters, hot doughnuts, high spirits

Our 48km teams have absolutely outdone themselves, with every single team member crossing the finish line wearing a smile. From first-time Kokoda participants to seasoned veterans, and our Year 12 students finally achieving the goal they set themselves back in 2024, every step of the journey has been worth it.

The finish line has been filled with tears, hugs, laughter and those raw, heartwarming moments that remind us what the Kokoda Challenge is all about. We couldn’t be prouder of these incredible students for stepping up, pushing through adversity, and proving they can conquer any challenge placed in front of them.

Now we eagerly await our 30km teams, who are expected to cross the finish line within the hour. We can’t wait to cheer them home!

So close, yet so far!

Morning update! ☀️

A huge shoutout to the incredible event directors who helped rescue me from a literal mud pit fit for pigs. Safe to say the weather has kept everyone on their toes! Note to self: next year’s fundraising goal might need to include a 4WD if the rain insists on following me from checkpoint to checkpoint.

As Rocky Balboa said:

“It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!”

Unfortunately, our 96km team were withdrawn from the event after reaching Checkpoint 5, having completed an incredible 42km. Along the way, they conquered the “Big Three” hills, plus the surprise extra 1.5 hill that nobody saw coming!

While their journey finished earlier than they had hoped, every one of them should be immensely proud. The tenacity, grit, sacrifice and courage they displayed throughout this challenge have been nothing short of inspiring. You represented Loganlea with pride, and we couldn’t be prouder of what you’ve achieved.

Meanwhile, our two 48km teams are on the home stretch and should be celebrating with us in less than an hour! Right behind them are our 30km legends, who continue to power towards the finish.

Stay tuned as we cheer everyone through the final stages of what has been another unforgettable Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge!

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: Wattsy Has Officially Been Defeated… (for now!) 🚨

It appears Wattsy’s streak of “if it can go wrong, it will go wrong” in 2026 continues.

After powering through what has best been described as being repeatedly punched in the kidneys with every breath, combined with stomach cramps, dizziness, and thighs that loudly objected to every uphill step, Wattsy has made the difficult decision to end his 96km Kokoda Challenge journey at Polly’s Kitchen.

Final statistics:

📍 32km completed

🏔️ 2 of the Big 5 hills conquered (plus the surprise “who ordered this one?” extra hill)

🏁 Approximately one-third of the course complete.

When asked where he currently sits on the Neil the Seal Scale, Wattsy confidently responded:

“Neil #3.”

Investigators have narrowed the cause down to two leading theories:

🧪 Theory 1: After everything Wattsy has experienced this year, his body simply looked at the next hill and said, “Absolutely not. We’re done here.”

🧪 Theory 2: This is somehow School Captain Zaire’s fault. In her very first Kokoda Challenge, Wattsy was medically ruled out. Now, in her final Kokoda with Loganlea, his body has returned the favour, creating perfect symmetry. Also… it was Zaire’s idea to tackle the 96km event, and she convinced Wattsy to lead the team… before she withdrew late last term, to join support crew. Coincidence? The investigation continues.

All jokes aside, Wattsy is absolutely devastated. He put countless hours into training and genuinely wanted to see this challenge through to the finish. While today wasn’t the ending he had hoped for, he can still be proud of what he achieved. Thirty-two kilometres on one of Australia’s toughest endurance events, conquering two of the major climbs (and the bonus one no one asked for) is no small feat.

To everyone who has sent messages of support, thank you. Now it’s time to cheer on the rest of the Loganlea teams as they continue their own Kokoda journeys.

Wattsy will be back

2026 Kokoda Check-In System: Inspired by an Australian Legend! 🦭

During our Kokoda training walks, we regularly use the classic hands check-in system:

✋ 1–10, how are you feeling?

It’s a quick and effective way for the team to communicate how they’re travelling physically and mentally throughout the hike.

But as we prepare for the 2026 Kokoda Challenge, we thought:

“Why use numbers when we could use Neil the Seal?”

For those who haven’t been following Australia’s favourite marine celebrity, Neil the Seal has become an internet sensation thanks to his many adventures, expressions, and complete disregard for road rules.

So for this year’s challenge, we’re introducing the Neil the Seal Visual Check-In System™.

Feeling confident and ready to conquer the hills? You might be Calm & Ready Neil.

Questioning every life choice that led you to a 3:00am wake-up? Perhaps you’re AHHHH! Neil.

Running purely on determination, snacks, and stubbornness? Sounds like Just Keep Going Neil.

Throughout the challenge, team members can simply point to the Neil that best represents their current state of mind. No explanations required.

It’s scientific.

It’s efficient.

It’s Australian.

Most importantly, it gives us a much better understanding of how everyone is travelling than a simple number ever could.

So the real question is…

Which Neil are you today? 🦭😂

When life gives you lemons

What happens when you drive straight through a mud pit, slip over while setting up a gazebo, everything gets soaked by the rain, the battery pack you swore you charged is completely flat, and the darkness starts to bring on a slow descent into madness?

KOKODA, BABY!!

The weather still can’t decide whether it’s serving clear skies and rainbows or rain and misery, but that hasn’t slowed our teams down.

Our 48km teams are absolutely flying! They’ve smashed through dinner, every team is still at full strength, and they’re as determined as ever to cross that finish line together. It’s been an incredible display of resilience, teamwork and sacrifice.

Our 96km legends have conquered the summit of their third major climb, Polly’s, and are motoring down the other side towards Checkpoint 5 before reuniting with our support crew at Raw Challenge. It was also here that we waved goodbye to our 48km teams as they started  their own adventure.

Meanwhile, our 30km teams are now over halfway! They’re powering through the darkness of Nerang State Forest with smiles on their faces, plenty of laughs, and—if we’re lucky—not too many history lectures from Rheegan.

The adventure continues… chat soon!

Who knew it was a task to manage 5 teams

Apologies for the lateness of my first post. After an early start and a few coffees, it seems this reporter needed a few more before remembering to post to the right page! Nonetheless, it’s a lot of work meeting five teams at three different start lines.

Some updates…

Our 96km team has conquered the first of their big five hills, including a few surprise climbs and twists that 96km veteran Alice swears weren’t here last year. They’re now honing in on their first checkpoint at Polly’s.

Both 48km teams – Flamin’ Heels and Legs 11 – have paid tribute to their Brisbane relatives and have POWER-ed ON through their first support stop. The vibes are high as the teams collect their headlamps and vests, fill their bellies, top up on fluids, and prepare to tackle Hellfire.

The 30km teams, who enjoyed a well-earned sleep-in, are now moseying on down to the velodrome, where they’ll start (and finish!) their challenge in just under an hour.

Quote of the day comes from Trailblazers serial pest Rheegan. When asked how he was feeling, he replied:

“Better than you – at least I get to go home after this.”

Anyway, I’d better get back to boosting morale, sharing a few laughs, and sending the teams off with plenty of good vibes before they head back out on the trail.

Chat soon! 👋

The Crowd, The Cheers, The Celebrity!

It doesn’t take much to bring a tear to this reporter’s eye, but being in the presence of Loganlea greatness for 18km ranks among the finest moments of my teaching career. Watching the man sign autographs for adoring fans, pose for photos with swooning admirers, and graciously accept the burden of celebrity was truly something to behold. I only hope that when he’s worth millions, he’ll remember this humble reporter and shout me a Frozen Coke.

In a blistering 5 hours and 37 minutes, Power On and Yeah Different, Built Different conquered the muddy slopes of Brisbane Kokoda and earned themselves a well-deserved nap on the bus ride back down the M1.

Thank you for tuning in to today’s coverage. Our eyes now turn to the GC.

Chat soon!

Mud, Miles and Major Regret

Their palms are sweaty, legs weak, arms are heavy. There was vomit on the track 5km ago, emptying their bellies — Kokoda Regretti.

Just 3 kilometres remain. The teams are about to feel the sweet, sweet asphalt of Boscombe Road beneath their weary feet. They’re tired, sore, cold, wet, and questioning every life choice that led them to this moment.

Since this reporter last put pen to paper, our brave adventurers have battled rain, wind, and a snowstorm. Okay, maybe not a snowstorm, but after the last 6,000 metres served up 238 metres of elevation, it certainly felt like one.

Three thousand metres.

Three hundred more times someone will ask, “Are we there yet?”

Thirty more times the Power On celebrity will be praised for his greatness.

And approximately three more times Mr Turner will declare, “This is character building,” while secretly negotiating with his legs for a ceasefire.

The finish line is close.

The home stretch awaits.

Sweet-sweet checkpoint!

Woooooooah, they’re halfway there! In just a smidge over three hours, the teams have  reached the first, penultimate, and final checkpoint of their 18km conquest going stride for stride with each other.

One member of the team, who shall remain nameless for their own protection (cough Turner cough), was heard muttering, “I can’t go on… but I must. The children, they’re counting on me.”

To which this reporter immediately channelled his inner Helen Lovejoy and shamelessly cried, “Won’t somebody please think of the children?!”

This reporter can confidently say that the first 9km have been the best of times; they have been the blurst of times. For that quote alone, I will be firing this stupid monkey as soon as possible.

Spirits remain high, legs remain functional, and only 9km stand between the teams and eternal glory (or at least a well-earned seat on the bus).

POWER ON — 9km TO GO!

We Have a Novelist Among Our Kokoda Students!

While providing live coverage of today's Brisbane Kokoda Challenge, Mr Bennett has encountered perhaps the most unexpected challenge of the day.

Approximately one hour ago, he received what can only be described as an epic literary masterpiece via email from one of our 96km team members.

Having seen this email, I can report it contained enough detail, reflection, storytelling and character development to rival a Year 12 English IA3 submission.

Most impressively, the email was not a reflection on Kokoda itself, but rather a query and proposal regarding support crew training for next weekend's training walk.

Mr Bennett is yet to read this email, but will likely need to take a brief pause at the next checkpoint to fully take in its depth, complexity and literary brilliance... and to formulate his own epic reply!

Mr Watts 

Did someone say SIX-SEVENNNNN?!

I really didn’t want to write this, but this reporter too is not immune to peer pressure.

So, 6.7 kilometres in, 11.3 to go. The teams have battled through the ups and downs (literally and figuratively) and are closing in on their 9km checkpoint. It seems like fun and games for now, but those who have trekked Brookfield before know that McDonald’s Loop has a nasty hill waiting to test even the most confident walkers.

The good news? Every step up brings them one step closer to the McNuggets on the way home. (McDonald’s, if you’re reading this, Hungry Jack’s is a proud sponsor of our school… do better.)

This year’s group has already proven that they’re not just different.

They’re BUILT DIFFERENT.

They say the first 2km’s are the hardest…

2km in and both Loganlea teams have scrambled a muddy incline and conquered their first small descent without breaking a stick (shoutout Ryan for achieving what many on training walks would think is impossible!). The teams will now roll through some hills before dropping into the gully, which I’ve been told may be a bit wet after all the rain we’ve had.

Someone asked how hikers stay in touch… they trail each other!

More updates to come as the adventure continues. POWERING ON!! 

Ready to go!!

Terrible singing and good vibes — Loganlea has arrived at Brookfield, ready to tackle the mud, sweat, and probable tears that lie ahead over the next 18km.

Following the cap ceremony, the anticipation continues to build. Speaking with the captain of Yeah Different, Built Different, Mr Turner revealed that he hardly slept a wink last night due to excitement.

Fresh off a kale juice, an Up & Go, and a handful of lollies, the man is ready to embrace Courage, Mateship, and Sacrifice in the best way possible.

All that’s left to do now is keep calm and POWER ON!!!

Kokoda Challenge 2026: Another Year of Adventure Begins

This weekend marks the beginning of another exciting chapter in our school's Kokoda Challenge journey, with students once again stepping up to test themselves through teamwork, resilience and determination.

Now in our sixth year of participating in the Kokoda Challenge, 2026 is shaping up to be one of our most exciting years yet. For the first time in school history, we have a team preparing to tackle the gruelling 96km Kokoda Challenge later this year—a remarkable achievement that reflects the growth and commitment of our program.

Tomorrow, two of our school teams will take on the Brisbane 18km Kokoda Challenge. Over the past several months, students have been training hard, developing their fitness, teamwork and leadership skills in preparation for the event.

Year 10 student Jonah, who will be competing in the Brisbane 18km event before taking on the Gold Coast 48km challenge next term, is looking forward to the experience.

"I'm feeling pretty good for tomorrow. I mean, Kokoda itself is pretty fun itself, so pretty keen to get the 18km over and done with and excited for the challenge of the 48km."

The Kokoda Challenge is more than just an endurance event. It encourages participants to embody the Kokoda values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice while working together to overcome physical and mental challenges along the trail.

Throughout the day, our Kokoda Coordinator, Mr Bennett, will be providing live updates right here on this blog so families, friends and the wider school community can follow our teams' progress as they make their way through the course.

We wish all of our students the very best of luck and look forward to sharing their achievements with you throughout the day.

Go Loganlea!

Mr Watts
Outdoor Education Coordinator

Support our team and empower local youth!

Our team are tackling Australia’s toughest team endurance event, the Kokoda Challenge, and we need your help! We’re not just hiking for ourselves, we’re hiking for a cause – to fundraise for the Kokoda Youth Foundation who run life-changing programs for young people across Australia. Their programs provide disengaged youth with the skills, knowledge and outdoor experiences that grow the Kokoda values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice. They have provided these fully-funded programs to hundreds of young people since 2004, thanks to the help of Kokoda Challenge participants, like us. Your donation will help more young people realise their potential.