Year 7 Excursion 

As a part of our novel study of Justin D’Ath’s ’47 Degrees’, the Year 7 students have been growing in empathy and learning about the ways communities can persevere through hardships. In fact, some communities are formed directly through hardship.

One such example of this can be found in Marysville, a small, charming town nestled in the foothills of Lake Mountain. While it was devastated by the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009, it has since rebuilt and constructed a memorial to remember those who lost their lives. Our Year 7s had the opportunity to spend the day in the town centre, answering a series of questions in a self-guided tour to pay their respects and better understand the historical context of the novel. Being there in person created a powerful connection, as the Bushfire Memorial is a solemn, silent, reverent place - contrasting with the destruction that once burned through the area. We see in our nature a cycle of death and rebirth, a promise of hope for the future.

The Year 7s also had the chance to just be big kids and have some fun on the playground, as well as visiting a local lolly shop… whom I would like to think also enjoyed our patronage! 

Thanks all involved for a great day out.

Duncan Boyle

Secondary Teacher