Year 9 City School 

The Year 9 cohort took off on an adventure to the City this term for three days to learn and apply skills around independence and responsibility. They had an action packed three days to engage in activities, including visiting the Shrine of Remembrance, The Old Melbourne Gaol, The Big Issue and they even recorded their own radio program as a class. Here is a bit of a run down of the 3 days:

• Day 1: We met at the Melbourne Multicultural Hub on Elizabeth St which has been a long term home base for our City School program. We had close to 200 students navigating their way to the City, with some nerves coming in to the experience, we had almost every student safely in the hub and a big sigh of relief for students as they streamed into the Drill Hall. The police welcomed all the students with some tips around safely navigating the City before students broke off into their class groups to get into their first activities. From some insightful radio recordings to students streaming up to the top of the Eureka Tower, we had many positive experiences on the first day and everyone got home safe and sound. 

• Day 2: With some confidence under their belt, students (for the first time ever) were to make their way and meet at their first activities on Day 2. Students navigated to their different meeting spots and enjoyed a couple activities before the big afternoon elective session. Students were given the option to choose an activity in the afternoon ranging from the National Gallery of Victoria to the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Personally I got to enjoy making my way through some virtual reality activities and got to build a rocket (that wasn’t very good) at the RMIT STEM session. From the feedback we have received students loved their electives. 

• Day 3: We hit the final day of an otherwise perfect week weather wise. We had some experienced campaigners by this day, being able to get from one side of the city to the other very efficiently. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting four classes at the Eureka Tower in the final session which was a fitting end to the week for half our cohort. We also had students being very brave heading out onto ‘The Edge’ which overhung the end of the building with a glass floor. 

Overall this was a very successful week, one of which will be hard to match. The students’ behaviour, representation of the school and ability to adapt to different conditions was particularly impressive, as good as I have seen in my time in this role. I want to thank all the parents for their support of their child's education, the students for their fantastic efforts and the amazing staff that took time out of their busy schedules to attend and leave behind other classes. I would also like to thank Christine, Aimee and Leah for their efforts in organising this amazing week. 

Here are some comments from students about experiences and things they enjoyed:

“City school was the best experience i've had during highschool so far. The teachers were amazing, and loved how we were sort of free, and not controlled by school staff.” Angelina

“The big issue. I found it very interesting to learn about the experience of people who are homeless. I think that it was taught very well.” Olive M 

“I really liked the way in which the tour guides spoke, especially at the Gaol. I honestly learnt so much at that Gaol and it was engaging and different to several other tours I’d been on in the past.” Greta

“My favourite aspect of City School was hanging out with my friends and having fun with them. It was a great experience and it was really fun.” Ivy 

Some advice for some future City School travellers:

“- Prepare how you are going to get to City School each day

- Don't rely on someone to drop you off to your destination at each day

- Be organised and very prepared!” Sarah 

“Make sure you fill out your elective session choices prior to going so you get to do things that you like” anonymous 

Kieran McDowell

Head of Middle School