Mr Perry and Woodford Primary School principal Daniel Watson are joint leaders of the congress, which will be held on Thursday and Friday at Deakin University in Warrnmbool.

For the first time since the event began in 2014, students from primary and secondary schools in Warrnambool City and Moyne Shire will be joined by their counterparts from the Corangamite Shire.

Corangamite students will attend the congress today with Moyne and Warrnambool students having their turn on Friday.

Students from years five to eight will take part in the congress.

Guest speakers at the congress include netballer Sarah Wall, Melbourne-based engineer Mat Bowtell and motivational speaker Ben Harkin.

Over the course of the congress, students will develop a community project.

The ideas for projects will be grown further and announced at a function in Warrnambool attended by participating schools in the middle of the year.