Vocational Major - Out on the town

Sally Goss

VCE-Vocational Major/Victorian Pathway Certificate Teacher

Recently, our VCE-Vocational Major and Victorian Pathway Certificate students participated in an excursion to the Melbourne office of The Big Issue, Top Arts at the National Gallery of Victoria, and ACMI (he Australian Centre for the Moving Image) in Federation Square.

The day provided students with valuable opportunities to connect their classroom learning to real-world experiences. At The Big Issue, students gained a deeper understanding of homelessness, social enterprise, and the positive impact that community support can have on individuals facing disadvantage. Students listened attentively, engaged respectfully, and asked insightful questions that demonstrated genuine curiosity and empathy.

Students then visited the Top Arts exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, where they explored outstanding VCE artworks created by students from across Victoria. They were inspired by the creativity, skill, and personal stories behind the works.

The final stop of the day was ACMI, where students explored exhibitions celebrating film, television, video games, and digital culture. Students enthusiastically engaged with the interactive displays and gained a greater appreciation of storytelling and media production.

Throughout the excursion, our students were exceptional ambassadors for our school. They represented our community with pride, demonstrating outstanding behaviour, respectful engagement, and a willingness to participate fully in all activities. 

We are incredibly proud of the way our VCE-VM and VPC students conducted themselves and thank them for making the excursion such a rewarding experience.

Alex Nikolarakos

Year 11

We went to the Big Issue, the NGV to see artworks by year 12’s, and played games at ACMI studios. At the Big Issue, there were magazines on the wall, and they were celebrating 30 years. Outside there were vendors where they were selling the Big Issue magazines. I learned that unhoused people sometimes busk, but not all unhoused people do. I also learned that people can lose their jobs, and that can impact mental health. 

At lunchtime I saw Max Gawn and got a picture with him

My favorite artwork from the NGV top arts was the dress that was made by a student from my sister's school, Academy of Mary Immaculate. 

Asli Gokkaya

Year 11

For this excursion, we went to The Big Issue, where we unravelled the invisible issues homeless people face/faced now and in the past. And how something simple like family life can greatly impact a person's chances of being homeless.

What I enjoyed most was the way the people at The Big Issue showed us how society continues moving on and ignoring the people struggling right in front of them.

Emre Serpinli

Year 11

The excursion was really amazing and I learned a lot about homelessness and how this wonderful amazing woman named Helen survived in her time. She and a guy named Ollie taught us about people being marginalised just for what they look like, how they talk or the way they act. It was an amazing experience and I would definitely recommend to other people.

Max Nappo

Year 11

Visiting The Big Issue was a great experience, and Helen was really nice and brave to be talking about her struggles and her past. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed the experience and got to hangout in the city. We also learned how you don't always [choose how something affects] your life and that we should treat everyone nicely - because you don't know what people's past is like or what's going on with them and their family.