Incursions and Excursions

Year 7 and 8 SEAL Micro-Mathematics Incursion

On Thursday 13th July, both Year 7 and 8 SEAL students took part in an incursion from the University of Melbourne’s “Maths and Stats” team. The session provided a fun environment for students to apply some new skills in ‘Combination Game Theory’. Here is what some of our students had to say:

“On Thursday 14th July. The year 7 and 8 SEAL classes attended an incursion brought by the University of Melbourne. In that incursion, students were taught how to use mathematics to our advantage. In this session they played a game and were taught how useful math could be and how math isn’t just about getting the answer. It was about sharing opinions on our methods and experiences and mainly sharing knowledge. They used the binary number system to find out if you can win or not. Basically, learning mathematics to being able to win any game.

The experience of using the binary number system to win a game was very enjoyable and required some out-of-the-box thinking. After using variables, trying different combinations and explicit teamwork at the young mathematicians came to various conclusions. Overall it was a unique experience with people from University of Melbourne and we thank them for sharing tips and tricks and showing us the different concepts and types of mathematics all round."

By Deveshwa. R– W7S

“At the Maths Incursion we played a marble game and shared many strategies on how to win. In the game, you have 3 piles of marbles (the piles don't have to be even) and the player who takes the last marble(s) wins. You can take any amount of marbles at a time, as long as the marbles you take are from the same pile. I learnt that if you get S* to be 0, it means that you're in a winning position. We used the binary number system in this game to determine whether we were in a winning position or not. Although it was a bit tricky in the beginning, when you start to understand the game it becomes a lot more enjoyable.” 

By Jessica P – W7S

We greatly appreciate the support of the University of Melbourne for coming out to the college to provide our SEAL program with this opportunity. The students had a fantastic session and we’re looking forward to working with this team again in the future. A big ‘Thanks’ to Mr Ghattas, Ms Do, Ms Absalom and Ms Blee for their support in the room on the day!

Ms Osburn

HAP & SEAL Program Leader

Year 9 Japanese Excursion

A few weeks ago, on the 20th of June, our Year 9 Japanese Students went to the city for an excursion. Throughout the day, the students went to the Japanese Consulate General building, followed by a shopping trip at Daiso ending the day with a visit to Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen. Japanese culture was explored at the Consulate General Building, expanding their overall knowledge about Japan, with Japanese cuisine being experienced at Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen.

by Ethan

The Japanese excursion held on 20th June was an educational and fun experience. The train ride lasted an hour. There was a presentation about Japanese Schools and activities along with it lasting about an hour. In the presentation, we learnt about Japanese school systems through quizzes and games. These were such as translating the Japanese to English or guessing the correct answer for the Japanese quiz. An example of a question was what year is first year in middle school? The building itself was amazing. Throughout the excursion, we had to walk a lot, but this allowed a beautiful view of the scenery, and the weather was nice as well. We went to Daiso to shop for multiple Japanese things such as keychains, drinks, and snacks. We had 30 minutes to shop then went to eat at a restaurant which was nice. The food was a bit salty but there was a wide range of choices to choose from, such as ramen and rice dishes. We ate for an hour then left for Flinders Street station. Soon we arrived at Berwick station then school by bus and a few minutes earlier. Overall, it was a fun experience. 

by Fatima

Year 8 McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery Excursion

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

We are thrilled to share with you the unforgettable experience that our Year 8 students had during their excursion to the McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery. On the 19th and 20th of July, our students embarked on a journey of cultural discovery, immersing themselves in the rich heritage of Australia's First Nations people and exploring the breathtaking art on display. 

The students were privileged to engage with  First Nations culture, art, and the natural environment here on Bunurong Country. The experience offered students access to authentic learning about First Nations peoples’ connection and understanding of country. Through this experience, we sought to foster respect, empathy, and an open-minded approach towards Indigenous traditions and way of life.

The McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery provided the perfect setting for our students to engage with the contemporary sculpture. The park's serene surroundings and stunning art installations served as an inspirational backdrop for the day's activities.  

The students were divided into groups and participated in guided tours led by knowledgeable educators, Adam and Sue. The students learned about the significance of various sculptures and the stories behind them. In particular, the White Ape by Lisa Roet and The Monument to Segregationist by Ken Scarlett. The students are currently undergoing a learning program driven by the ideas and artistic techniques of these artists, so it was fantastic to engage with the artworks in real life. The students were so excited, majority just had to get a selfie with the sculptures!

One of the highlights of the day was seeing a Tawny Frogmouth. The students enjoyed learning about adaptability and how the bird could camoflauge with it's environment. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery for hosting our students and providing them with an enriching cultural experience. Additionally, we thank the First Nations educator, Nikki, who shared her knowledge and stories with us, enriching our students' understanding of this vital aspect of Australian identity. 

Once again, we thank our Year 8 students for their enthusiastic participation and respectful engagement during the excursion. Their curiosity and willingness to learn made this day a truly memorable one. 

We look forward to more such enriching experiences that will shape the minds and hearts of our students. 

Sarah Giannone

Visual Arts | English