HUMANITIES

VICTORIAN SCHOOLS PARLIAMENTARY CONVENTION

On Tuesday 9 May, six students from Years 9 and 10 represented our school in the Victorian Schools' Parliamentary Program held in the Parliament of Victoria. This is a program where representatives from 13 schools or approximately 70 students from all over Victoria came together to discuss and debate a bill. The topic of the day was “Should vaping be regulated in the same way as tobacco and alcohol?”

It is a controversial but extremely relevant issue to us. As vaping continues to grow in popularity, there has been an increasing concern about its potential health risks and the lack of regulation surrounding its use. It was fascinating to hear the different perspectives on this issue. Some argue that vaping should be regulated or even be more tightly regulated than tobacco and alcohol due to its harmful effects, while others believe that vaping should be treated differently as we should give the chance to each individual to make an informed choice.

The parliamentary-style debate provided a unique opportunity for us to represent McKinnon students and to engage in an informed and passionate discussion on the topic, while also gaining valuable insights into the legislative process and the policymaking that shapes society in the process. The lively discussion was a truly enriching experience, and a great example of how us students can engage with important issues in such a meaningful way.

Special thanks to Mrs Masterson for giving us this special opportunity to attend this program!

Olivia Yang, Year 10 Student &

Mark Mao, Year 9 Student

YEAR 12 GEOGRAPHY FIELDWORK: YARRA VALLEY CHOCOLATERIE & ICE CREAMERY

On Wednesday 3 May, the McKinnon Year 12 Geography classes took a trip to the Yarra Valley Chocolate Factory, located in the picturesque Yarra Valley region of Victoria, Australia. The purpose of the trip was to learn about the land use change of the land previously being used for agriculture and now a multi-million dollar chocolate factory. The factory is a large, modern building with ample parking space and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and scenic views of the Yarra Valley.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by friendly staff members, including the owner, Leanne, who gave us an overview of the factory's history and operations and how ingredients are sourced and what was required to get the business up and running. During the introduction, we were able to taste several samples of the chocolate, which were absolutely delicious, my favourite being the Mango and Passionfruit milk chocolate.

We then spent lunch in Yarra Glen at a local bakery and park before going to Christmas Hills to look at the amazing views over the Yarra Valley.

Overall, the field trip to the Yarra Valley Chocolate Factory was an amazing experience. We learned so much about the chocolate-making process and the history of the business, and most importantly, the process of land use change. 

Ella Syphers

Year 12 Student