Excursions
Year 11 Alpine Camp
Earlier this term, the Year 11 Outdoor and Environmental Studies students headed to Marysville and Lake Mountain for an exciting alpine camp, providing them with the opportunity to experience the environment beyond the classroom and put their knowledge into practice.
During the camp, students visited Stevenson Falls during both the day and night. These experiences allowed students to observe how the environment changes throughout the day and provided opportunities to explore the surrounding landscape from different perspectives. The night visit was a particular highlight, giving students the chance to experience the outdoor environment after dark.
The weather also provided two very different experiences for our classes. One class was lucky enough to experience natural snowfall, creating an exciting and memorable alpine experience. While the second class did not receive natural snow, students were still able to experience artificially produced snow and gain an insight into how snow-making is used in alpine areas.
A highlight of the camp was a presentation from DEECA staff, who spoke to students about fire management strategies and the important role fire plays in Victorian environments. Students learnt about how fire is managed to help protect communities, biodiversity and the health of the environment.
The camp was a fantastic opportunity for students to connect their classroom learning with real-world experiences. From exploring Stevenson Falls at day and night to experiencing snow and learning about fire management, students gained valuable knowledge while enjoying an unforgettable outdoor adventure in the Marysville and alpine region.
Natalie Janius - Year 8 Pastoral Teacher, OES and HPE Teacher
Year 11 Art Making and Exhibiting: A Day of Art and Inspiration at the NGV
On 24 August, our Year 11 VCE Art Making and Exhibiting students enjoyed an inspiring excursion to NGV International, where they explored artworks from different historical, cultural and contemporary contexts.
The day began in the contemporary permanent collection, where students encountered works by some of the world’s most celebrated artists. Highlights included Pablo Picasso’s powerful painting Weeping Woman and examples of his distinctive ceramic pottery. Students also viewed the dreamlike paintings of Salvador Dalí and iconic works by pop artist Andy Warhol. A favourite was Yayoi Kusama’s magical Dancing Pumpkin, a vibrant commissioned artwork that captivated the group with its bold colours, playful pattern and joyful sense of movement.
The students then stepped back in time as they entered the NGV’s famous Salon Gallery. Surrounded by classical and Baroque European paintings displayed from floor to ceiling, the girls were completely enchanted. They swooned over the beautifully rendered oil paintings, dramatic subject matter and magnificent gold-gilded, ornate frames. Many students said they could have spent hours in the room and simply could not get enough of its beauty and atmosphere.
Throughout the excursion, students strengthened their skills in observing, interpreting and responding to art. They considered how artists use materials, techniques and visual conventions to communicate ideas, while also experiencing how gallery spaces influence the way audiences engage with artworks.
The excursion was an opportunity to bring classroom learning to life, spark curiosity and inspire new ideas for the students’ own artmaking and exhibition projects.
Laura Dalta-Viota - Teacher, Year 11 Art Making and Exhibiting
Life After School Program - Year 10 Business Excursion
Last week, 5 of our Year 10 Business students had the fantastic opportunity to attend a highly sought after session at Macquarie Bank (Life After School program), gaining valuable insights into the finance industry, the role of an investment banker, career pathways, and the many different journeys that can lead to a career in this field. Our students thoroughly enjoyed hearing from industry professionals, participating in an interactive investment activity and connecting with students from other schools.
As the only school from Melbourne’s West represented at the session, this was an especially valuable opportunity for our students. Experiences such as these help to empower young women, broaden aspirations and provide access to industries and career pathways that students may not otherwise have the opportunity to explore.
We are incredibly grateful to the team at Macquarie (and the Explore Careers Network who made the opportunity possible) for helping our students see the possibilities available beyond secondary school.
Naomi Nolan - Careers Practitioner/VET Coordinator
VCE Art Excursion to the Ngarn Wa’ngal: Art of the Gum Tree Exhibition
The Unit 4 Art Making and Exhibiting class visited the Ngarn Wa’ngal: Art of the Gum Tree exhibition at the Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne.
The exhibition explores the cultural, environmental and artistic importance of the Australian gum tree. The title, which translates to “breathing for us” in Woi Wurrung, highlights the deep connection between eucalyptus trees, Country and people. The exhibition features more than 160 artworks from Indigenous, colonial, twentieth-century and contemporary artists. It explores themes including Australian identity, Indigenous sovereignty, climate change and the relationship between people and nature.
Our experience at the exhibition was incredible. We weren’t just observing artworks, but also being immersed in Indigenous culture and Country through the various scents and sounds accompanying the artworks, which made the experience even more meaningful and memorable.
Luka Brosnan - Year 12 Art Making and Exhibiting
Vinnies Conference
On Thursday the 27th of August, 10 members of the Supportive Friends Leadership Team attended the annual Vinnies Conference at Marian College. The conference brought together students from Catholic schools across Melbourne - including Emmanuel College, Caroline Chisholm Catholic College and Marian College and Catholic Regional College North Keilor - to share experiences, ideas and initiatives from their own school communities.
The day began with guest speakers from Vinnie’s including a talk from State President Mr Brendan Podbury. We then participated in a range of different activities designed to allow students from different schools to interact, network and connect. This created opportunities to form new friendships, exchange ideas and build stronger interschool connections.
Each school prepared a short presentation on a recent project undertaken to support the St Vincent de Paul Society and to raise awareness regarding important issues in the community. MSJ shared our ‘Winter Sleep Out’, while other schools showcased their own initiatives.
Overall, the day was a huge success and a great way to meet new people and collaborate with like-minded individuals, learning about the different ways schools are supporting their local communities.
Our key takeaway from the day was based on a phrase that we heard that truly resonated with us: ‘kindness is contagious, pass it on.’
Veronica Byrne and Nia Oliver - Year 11 Students