VCE - VM 

Bendigo Visit

VCE-VM Numeracy students recently went on an excursion to Bendigo to visit the Deborah Underground Gold Mine and Ride the Heritage Tram. In preparation for the excursion students undertook activities in class to study the geometry of local buildings and landmarks.  

Here are some student reports from the day.  

Mac got to school at 6:45 and left of the bus at 7:30 and arrived at 10:00.  It took 2.5 hrs to get to the mine. Some Mathematical concepts studied on the day included:

Ratio: In most mines like Bendigo, the gold contents of quartz veins is 10-15 Grams per metric tonne.

Shapes: Support for the roof of the mine, the shapes use was rectangle for the roof and trapezoids for each of the Red Gum supports that hold up the roof.

Patterns: Patterns for blasting to be most effective. Also to make it the safest way to get the gold so no one will get hurt.

The best aspect of the excursion was going underground and seeing the gold in the rock face but I also enjoyed the tram ride.

~ Mac and Oliver

The VM Numeracy students, together with 3 teachers, Mr Burleigh, Ms Wilson, and Fiona, left at 7:30 am and it took 2 and a half hours. The tour guide gave a safety talk and gave us hard hats to wear underground. We learnt about the quartz to gold ratio as well as the difference between alluvial gold and reef gold. We were given a demonstration of reinforcing the rock wall for safety reasons. The depth of the mine shaft is 3 stories. The best aspect of the excursion was getting food and free time in Bendigo.

~ Charli, Maddy, Ella 

On the 12th of March, Wantirna College picked two VM Maths classes and went to Bendigo for a maths trip. The tour guide spoke about the importance of the ratio of gold to quartz, and how much some small amounts can be worth. He also spoke about how far underground we were which was a 22 story building worth. He described how long it can take to get through a rock efficiently which depended on the size of bolt as well as how many explosives needed to be planted. I liked the free time and tram ride!

~ Andersyn, Stephanie and Stephanie

Leanne Wilson

Mathematics Curriculum Assistant

Year 12 VCE VM PDS

Earlier this term, the Year 12 VCE VM students participated in a project to enhance their teamwork and collaboration skills. This task required students to create a design for the decking area outside the Pathways Hub. Their brief from the Principal Team was to design a space to promote student use of the area for study, as well as allowing to connect at recess and lunchtime.

The final designs from the cohort were fantastic. There were a range of innovative ideas and layouts for the space (including seating areas, shade sails, a projector and even a foosball table). Year 12 students and staff then had the opportunity to vote, over a week, on their preferred designs, with close to 100 votes submitted. All designs received votes, however, the most votes was for Design 8, which was developed by Poppy and Annabelle. Work will begin over the holidays to start to update the space with works likely to be completed early in Term 3.

Darren Hoogkamer

Leader of Senior School