What was it like having these friends come and stay with you in Australia?

Addison: It was really special. Because of the distance, we don't often get the chance to see each other in person, so being able to spend an extended period of time together was amazing. It was particularly nice having them here just before exams, as it gave us the chance to enjoy some quality time together before things got hectic.

Emma: It was an extraordinary experience. CGA brought us together across different cultures online, but actually hosting our friends here in Australia brought those friendships into the real world and allowed us to build lifelong memories together.

What did you get up to during the visit? Were there any particular highlights or funny moments?

Addison: We did so many fun things together! We went to the movies, visited Luna Park Sydney, tried a few escape rooms and even went to the LEGO Store, which is the biggest in the world. We also spent time relaxing at home, swimming in the pool, having movie nights and setting aside a day for games. It was a really nice mix of going out and doing things together, as well as just enjoying each other's company.

There were three moments in particular that really stood out to me. The first was our dinner on the first night, when we all went out with our dad and our brother’s girlfriend to the pub where my brother works. It was really lovely to finally introduce our family to our friends and see everyone getting along and interacting. The second was on our game day, when our brother Jack and his girlfriend Layla came over to spend the day with us. Sam M and Addison cooked a really delicious Alfredo pasta for everyone, and we spent the afternoon playing games together. There wasn't anything particularly extraordinary about this moment, but I think that's what made it so special. It was just one of those really warm, everyday moments where everyone was together, enjoying good food and each other's company. The last moment was also on that same day, when we played sardines (a bit like reverse hide and seek). It was absolutely hilarious, especially watching everyone try to squeeze into the tiny bathroom while someone else was hiding. There were so many laughs, and it's one of those memories I think we'll all look back on fondly.

Emma: Some of my fondest memories came from the simplest moments. On our games day, we spent hours competing over a Sherlock Holmes mystery, racing to solve the case while fighting over game resources, before switching to a late-night poker game. We were all shocked when Andy, playing for the very first time, made it all the way to second place, only losing to Emma’s desperate all-in move. The long commutes to Sydney were just as special, spending two hours each way laughing, singing, and playfully arguing over music brought us ever closer.

How did you become friends in the first place?

Addison: Most of us actually became friends through school trips. We became friends with Andy through seeing him regularly in class and being partnered with him for various projects. Although we’d known Andy for around three years, we only actually met him in person for the first time at the Melbourne 2026 camp! Over time, we naturally grew closer and developed a really good friendship. We had also met Sam H a few times before, but it wasn’t until the Melbourne camp that we properly became close friends. Sam H, Andy and Addison are all Commerce students, and we went on a senior Commerce trip to Wellington together, which is where we first became friends with Sam M.

Emma: School trips were the real turning point for our friend group. While we’d known Andy and Sam H online since our first year at CGA, taking shared classes and working on projects with Andy for three years, it wasn’t until the 2026 Melbourne Camp that we finally met Andy in person and properly bonded with Sam H. Our circle expanded even further on a senior Commerce trip to Wellington with Andy, Sam H, and Addison, which is where we first became close friends with Sam M.

When you first considered joining CGA, was the social side of online learning something you were worried about?

Addison: Yes, definitely. I think one of the biggest concerns when considering an online school is whether you’ll still be able to have a proper social life and make meaningful friendships. I was initially unsure how easy it would be to connect with people when you aren’t physically seeing your classmates every day. However, I think CGA does a really good job of creating opportunities for students to meet though clubs, meet-ups, and school trips. Looking back, I don’t think I had anything to worry about, as I’ve made some really genuine friendships that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise.

Emma: I was definitely nervous about it. In a traditional school, socialising happens automatically because you’re stuck in the same building all day, so I worried CGA would feel lonely in comparison. What I didn’t expect was that online learning simply changes how you connect, not if you connect. Instead of just becoming friends with whoever happens to sit next to you, CGA lets you bond with people who share your actual interests and drive, which made my initial worries completely disappear.

How would you describe the social side of CGA to someone who is considering joining? Have you found it easy to make friends and connect with other students?

Addison: The social side of CGA is perhaps a little different from what you might initially expect, especially because it’s an online school. However, we’ve found that it is relatively easy to make friends and connect with other students. Attending meet-ups and school trips definitely makes a big difference, as it gives you the opportunity to spend time with people in person and develop friendships more naturally. We’ve also made friends simply through sharing classes or being involved in the same clubs. One thing we really like about making friends at CGA is that you genuinely get to choose the people you build relationships with. Because you’re not necessarily seeing each other every day in person, maintaining friendships takes a conscious effort from both sides. This makes the friendships you do form particularly meaningful, because you know that both people genuinely want to stay in touch and make the effort to be part of each other’s lives.

Emma: The social side of CGA is surprisingly vibrant, but it does require you to take that first step. Because you aren’t sitting in a physical classroom, making friends starts by engaging in class chats, joining clubs, or setting up study groups. Once you reach out, connecting is easy because everyone is looking to build those same bonds. Between online hangouts and in-person trips like our camps in Melbourne and Wellington, it turns into a genuine global network of close friends.

What would you say to another student who might be worried about making friends or feeling part of a community when studying online?

Addison: I'd say not to let the fact that it's an online school put you off. It can feel a little daunting at first, especially when you aren't surrounded by people every day like you would be at a traditional school, but there are so many opportunities to meet people and make friends if you're willing to put yourself out there. I'd really encourage getting involved in clubs, attending meet-ups and going on school trips, as these are some of the easiest ways to connect with people. You also shouldn't feel like you need to become close with everyone straight away. Some of the best friendships develop naturally over time. Ultimately, I think CGA has a really lovely community, and you can absolutely find your people here!

Emma: My main advice would be to not wait for the community to come to you, take that first step. Participate in group chats, join clubs, and definitely go to in-person meetups or school trips if you can. It takes a tiny bit of courage to reach out initially, but because everyone is here by choice, the friendships you build are often much deeper and more intentional than standard classroom friendships.