National Archaeology Week

The study of the development of archaeology from a hobby to a science, and the importance of the study of material culture in giving voice to those who are not represented in written accounts, is one of the Areas of Study for Unit 1 Classical Studies. It is always a fun unit involving some field work around the school and the Melbourne General Cemetery, and a visit from Ramona Angelico, a practicing archaeologist for Dr Vincent Clark Archaeology and Heritage. Her presentation is always enlightening for students who never considered the very real job prospects in the field.

This year our study was particularly special as it culminated in a performance for National Archaeology Week on Friday May 22. National Archaeology Week is a joint initiative of Melbourne University, Hellenic Museum and Co.As.it. This year UHS was invited to participate in the celebration of Greek and Roman Drama. Our students performed a passage from Euripides’ ‘Women of Troy’. The performance was very moving and received much praise from the organisers and audience alike. The evening finished on a much lighter note with undergraduate, and graduate students from Melbourne University choosing comedies from the Greek playwright Aristophanes and the Roman playwright Plautus, respectively. 

What made the UHS performance particularly delightful was seeing students of different ages performing, from the introduction which set the scene delivered by Issy Corcoran (class of 2024), to our amazing performers from our Classics classes and Classics Club: Alphia Coles-Janess (Yr 12), Saoirse Corcoran (Yr11) and Eryn Benson (Yr8), Arabella Ibels (Yr8), Aurora Mackay-Scollay (Yr8) and Penelope Zhivov-Loh (Yr8).

Maree Garra- Riley 

Classical Studies teacher