Middle Years 

Last week,the Year 9s spent the week exploring Melbourne as part of their City Experience for the Micah Program. As a cohort, the Year 9s were an impressive group. We had many of the City Cite staff and the general public comment about how polite, friendly, and well-mannered our group was.

Over the course of the week, the students participate din a breadth of experiences:

• A Muslim couple who spoke about Islam.
• An ex-gambler telling his story.
• A street artist taking them on a tour through the laneways of the city.
• A tour of the Old Melbourne Gaol.
• Making meals for people less fortunate at Fareshare.
• Making stencil street art.
• Viewing the City from Eureka Tower.
• Watching a production of Harry Potter (plus a Q & A with the cast!).

Rather than approach new experiences with anxiety and trepidation, this group chose to be open and curious about the unknown and took the time to embrace new experiences and learn from them. Watching them grow in confidence and their sense of self was a privilege and they relished the opportunity to independently travel through the city. 

The questions the Year 9s asked of each speaker illustrated their desire to deeply understand the experience of other people and to relate this to their own lives. I was so proud of our Year 9 students and am excited to see their growth during the Mittagundi experience coming up in Term 3. The Year 8s should also look forward to the Micah Program in 2024, the City Experience is so much fun.

Reminders:

• Tuesday 23 May – Year 8 Live4Life Launch in the College MPAC (periods 3 and 4).
• Thursday 25 May – Australian History Competition (period 3) and Orchestra Victoria visit. 
• Monday 29 – 31 May – House Chess competition (lunchtimes).

MR BEN HAWTHORNE

Head of Middle Years