A group of Notre Dame College students felt the full force of Thursday night's freezing temperatures when they 'slept out' in the school's quadrangle.
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Teaming up with fellow Sandhurst diocese school's including Galen Catholic College (Wangaratta), Bendigo Marist College (Bendigo) and St Mary of the Angels Secondary College (Nathalia) about 50 people were part of the experience to help raise awareness for homelessness.
The evening started with guest speakers from local organisations and support services, as well as a representative from Melbourne St Vinnie's program.
The students were put into 'real life' scenarios and simulations.
The students could earn "money" by selling the Big Issue magazine, busking or even trading items.
The students were provided very little food and slept on thin pieces of cardboard.
Notre Dame student Jess Georgy's-Scott said she decided to participate because she wanted to stand in solidarity with those experiencing homelessness.
"I also just wanted to see what it was all about and also to support my school.
"I hoped to come out understanding how hard it really is for those and to try and support them more, people don’t really put themselves in others shoes - so we did.
"I found the experience very eye-opening, as in some people live like this every day and I feel as if I take what I have for granted and I now really understand how lucky I truly am.
"I learnt that one of the main reasons for homelessness was domestic violence which is a horrible thing on its own and I pray for all of those suffering."
Fellow Notre Dame student Hannah Helps said she loved it.
"It was a great opportunity to help out and to meet other like-minded teenagers and teachers.
"I would recommend it to other students because it was a great experience to meet other like-minded people, and to have a chat to some of the other school teachers and to see what they are doing to help out in their local towns," she said.
But sleeping on cardboard in the middle of school wasn't the only condition the students needed to brave.
It was business as usual for the students meaning they needed to attend class all day on hungry stomachs and little sleep.
Deputy principal Les Billings said the students also battled other elements during the sleep.
"They could hear cars and trains going past. Plus there were lights flickering throughout the night.
"We provided them the chance to sleep in the hall but to their credit all students slept outside," Mr Billings said.
15°C