Applied Learning
Race Around the City
On Tuesday, Year 11 & 12 VCALers competed in a race around Melbourne’s CBD. This activity aligned with the Numeracy Location Outcome, Literacy Reading and Speaking for Practical Purposes and Personal Development Skills Outcome 1 – The importance of Subject Specific Knowledge. Not only did students have to locate city venues and features, they had to demonstrate they could apply their knowledge in using a map, protractor and ruler to establish due North, degrees from a given starting point and measure distance. Timekeeping was also a criterion that was assessed, with students having accessed Public Transport Victoria’s online Journey Planner to catch public transport to and from the CBD.
Students worked in small teams to make their way around the City, collecting evidence of their journey. They had to problem solve and make decisions about their journey’s itinerary order and what route would be the most time efficient. Although most of the race was negotiated by foot, teams could decide to use tram and train to travel from one point of the city to the next.
It was a very enjoyable day, with cool weather making for a comfortable journey. All students came into the activity with a positive mindset and a preparedness to offer complementary skills to their group’s performance. It was pleasing to see leadership and teamwork on display, along with competitiveness to WIN the race!!
Year 12s used this day in the broader community to take note of evidence of major issues that are prevalent in the lives of Victorians. This information feeds into their preparation for a major project where they create an awareness of an issue and/or find ways to reduce or tackle a social, cultural, financial, political or environmental issue of their interest. Certainly, much evidence was found of COVID 19 lockdowns’ impact on people’s movement to, from and within the city, and the financial strain felt by business was clear with record numbers of vacant buildings and For Lease signs.
An added challenge for the day was to take photos of the vast number of commissioned sculptures on display across Melbourne. The Me and UooUoo Collection are original designs on display as part of The Royal Children’s Hospital’s 150th Anniversary Art Trail. The original UooUoo sculpture was created by artist Alexander Knox and served as a three dimensional blank canvas for 100 Australian artists! Stay tuned in the next newsletter to hear how many of these art works were discovered by VCAL student teams on their Race Around the City. BONUS points certainly inspired students to be on the lookout and to snap that camera lens as evidence of their discovery.
Should you be part of a community group or club that requires some assistance of volunteers in meeting one of your project goals or in seeking the input of teenagers, please make contact with:
Caitlin.mackay@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Work-placement Call Out
If we could wave a magic wand we would find positions for a number of our students desperately seeking a one day a week work placement. Aware that experience in the industry helps direct students along the relevant career path, we have young people wanting to be part of the workforce. Our students are completing Vocational Education & Training one day a week and look forward to applying their knowledge whilst developing their employability skills.
If you can take a student on in your work place or have contacts who may, please contact us:
Elena.flodstrom@nazareth.vic.edu.au or Caitlin.mackay@nazareth.vic.edu.au
VCAL students require work-placement in:
Electrical
IT/Appliance Repairs
Electronic Parts Sales
Automotive
Building
Plumbing
Education
Community Centres/Clubs/Small Businesses
Ms Caitlin Mackay
Instructional Leader Applied Learning