Yr 9 RAID Program

RAID on Wednesday the 5th March was a very fun day. We started out with a presentation from the Macedon Ranges Shire Council about what we can put it in our bins. I wasn’t expecting to learn much, as we are usually pretty good at recycling at my house, but I did end up learning that you cannot leave the tops on your milk bottles. Period 2 was our city preparation session, getting us ready for our first RAID day in the city in a fortnight. This was run by Ms Sparrow, and we looked at what we were doing, what we were and weren’t allowed to do, what we needed to bring, and finally how we could get there and home. We took a quick break for recess and afterwards went straight into the Wild Action Zoo. This was full of different animals, from mammals like bats, to reptiles like the freshwater crocodile and even birds, like an owl, which I got to hold. It was very interesting, with its big eyes and 270˚ head rotation. It was also a lot lighter and quieter than I expected. 

After that it was onto the more boring activity of the day, which was a Clean Up Australia Day. This basically involved us going around the school and picking up rubbish. After a break for lunch, we did the best activity of the day, Archery Attack. Archery Attack is archery, but instead of normal arrows, they have a rubber block on the tip, so you have to be right up close to hurt. I was hit by someone twenty metres away, and it didn’t hurt. We donned our face masks, took a bow and arrow, and started off with a team death match. This was basically try to get as many of your opponents out as possible. We did three rounds before running out of time, but before backup we got to do run the gauntlet with the whole class shooting at Mr Alexopoulos. Overall, it wasn’t my favourite day but it was still decently good.

-Alex E

RAID First City Experience 

The year 9 students enjoyed their first City Experience on Wednesday 19th March. The theme of the day was ‘Finding you way’ and students had to navigate using a map through Melbourne’s Laneways and complete a photo scavenger hunt at the Botanic Gardens. For some student’s this was their first time using public transport in the city and it was wonderful to see them working in the groups to complete the activities. The students managed to get themselves places on time and when they were running a few minutes late – they called the RAID phone to let us know. Building their independence is one of the main aims of the RAID program, and today they very much demonstrated this. For the final RAID day of Term 1 we will be heading to the Docklands for a day of Ice-skating and Artvo. This will be an amazing way to cap off what has been an excellent Term 1 with our Year 9 students.

-Marnie Sparrow