High Abilities Program
ACMI Presentation Now Excursion
On Thursday of week 9, students from Years 9 and 10 attended the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne city. They took part in an interactive lecture on the changing nature of representation in film and TV. We tracked how the big genre movies and TV shows of the world have grown up over time and improved the representation of women, peoples from different ethnic backgrounds, the queer community, and diverse gender identities.
TLSC students engaged in discussions around representation and then explored a fascinating exhibition that explored the development of the moving image and benchmarks in film and television. Much fun was had by all!
Richard Williamson
English Teacher
"During this excursion I gained a better understanding about the media and how it may represent certain groups of people. We learnt this through an interesting exhibition and presentation. I really enjoyed this fantastic experience and hope to have similar excursions in the upcoming future."
Tahlia, Year 9
The ACMI Representation Now excursion explored the question of who is behind the camera and how this impacts how people, places, and events are viewed by examining how screen culture reflects and shapes societal values from both the past and the present. I learned how the development of Australian society reveals progressive approaches to the representation of numerous ethnicities, religions, sexualities, family dynamics, and genres on today's screen and media.
Cristian, Year 9
Biomimicry Excursion
Students from years 7-10 attended a full day Biomimicry program at the Royal Botanical Gardens. In this workshop students learnt some examples of bio-inspired inventions such as the king fisher that inspired the bullet train aerodynamic design and Velcro that was inspired from a plant’s burs. Students explored the function and forms of plants and utilized design thinking and STEM skills to come up with their own nature inspired ideas. Some of these great ideas included sunscreen that also works as an insect repellant, eucalyptus infused band-aids to not only disinfect but to speed up the healing time of a wound; to an umbrella that has cooling and insect repelling properties. Overall, this excursion was a serene and lovely day in the beautiful and diverse Botanical Gardens.
Sarah Tonna
Science Teacher
A big thank you to our supervising teachers on these days – Sarah Tonna and Yunkai Wang for making this excursion possible.
For further information about extension opportunities for High Ability Students at Taylors Lakes Secondary College, please contact Elizabeth Green, Instructional and High Abilities Practice Leader.
Elizabeth Green
VHAP Leader