Excursions

Museum of Play and Art (MOPA)

PLC 1 were lucky to go on an exciting excursion to MOPA. When we got there, we had morning tea and then it was straight into interacting with the exhibits! We loved being able to explore the big open space in our way and participate in EVERYTHING! We loved all the play areas with from the air tunnels to the stage and dance party, also the soft play and big play areas. For quiet time before we had our lunch, we did some private group activities enjoyed of crafts puppets and story time.

We all loved the bright colours in the air tunnel and pushing to button to make scarves fly around! The giant slide was also fun cause we could go down and race our classmates.

 We are excited to plan a visit to the brand new MOPA in Nunawading next. We can’t wait for our next excursion!! - Brianna (Classroom Teacher)

Izzy- I like the painting.

Marcus- It was silly.

Arabella- I go to the Museum again.

Mila- I was happy.

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO)

A few students were lucky enough to attend a performance of Eliza's Orchestra presented by the MSO. As we arrived into the city on the big Mees bus driven by the wonderful Ken, we rushed off the bus and made our way into the Hamer Hall building of the Arts Centre Melbourne. We were greeted by the lovely staff of the Arts centre and told that we were seated on the bottom level. Nothing out of the ordinary so far compared to our previous excursions to performances at Hamer Hall. But as we entered the doors of the theatre we were ushered down a long hallway and directed to the front row of the theatre! My goodness! We were all very surprised. We had the entire front row of Hamer Hall reserved for Belmore school. I think a few of our students felt very special! Noah, Oliver and a few other students sat right in the middle. They seemed very amazed that we were sitting as close as we were! Our wheelchair users surrounded these students. 

The MSO amazed us with performances of Boléro, In the Hall of the Mountain King, Oogway Ascends (a song from Kung-Fu Panda, that Noah and Ryan were very excited to hear) and the crowd pleasing William Tell Overture. The stand-out moment of the performance was a soundbath-like activity led by “Eliza” as she directed the audience to sing and use their voice out loud together. This was an activity that I particularly enjoyed participating in almost weekly(!) during my post-grad Music Therapy studies. It is a profound experience that involves large groups of participants using their voices singing randomly chosen long tones as participants are “Bathed” in the awe-inspiring sound of each other! All of our students participated, with Emma singing the most enthusiastically along with the 1500 other students and staff in the theatre. 

As the performance ended, we had a little bit of time available to relax in the space around the venue. Our students were able to see the large skyscrapers in the city, hear the bells of the trams, and see the boats making waves in the Yarra. Ryan particularly enjoyed being able to see all the busy happenings of our crazy city. 

Until next time, 

- Troy (Music Therapist)