Excursions

Year 11 Legal Studies Court Excursion

Units 2 Legal Studies focuses on the enforcement of criminal law and civil law, the methods and institutions that may be used to determine a criminal case or resolve a civil dispute, and the purposes and types of sanctions and remedies and their effectiveness.

On Wednesday 17th October, the two Year 11 Legal Studies classes visited both the County Court and Supreme Court of Melbourne to extend their understanding of Unit 2 - Area of Study 1 & 2.

We started at the Supreme Court of Victoria and were very fortunate to be greeted by an enthusiastic and well informed Tour Guide, Mr Bill Gilp.

Bill Gilp gave us a snapshot of the indictable offences that were currently in session which explained the heavy presence of both Victorian and Federal police and the media we had seen outside of the Supreme Court upon our arrival. Given the two high profile cases in session, Bill explained that we would be visiting a court in session that was not of such high profile, however, as to be expected in the Supreme Court, an indictable criminal offence of murder.

To our pleasant surprise it was a plea sentencing hearing, which was most appropriate as we had learnt in class the main purposes of sanctions, but were now privy to its application in court.  We were able to hear the prosecution eloquently present her case to The Honourable Justice Hollingworth on why the defendant found guilty by the jury should be sentenced to imprisonment for the maximum time as stated in the Victorian Sentencing Act. It soon became clear that despite the convicted having a history of mental illness and drug dependency, the prosecution and Justice Hollingworth agreed that both the protection of the community and a strong message of denunciation for this serious crime should be paramount when sentencing the convicted.

Following the court session, Bill guided us into the Supreme Court Law Library. It was here that we were able to see Law reports from the 1800’s to the present. We were amazed to be able to see, touch and feel the leather bound Law Reports and read precedent first hand.

After a short lunch break we next visited the County Court where we first had a private meeting with His Honour Judge Gucciardo. Judge Gucciardo candidly discussed his career path into becoming a judge and shared his experience applying the principles of justice as well as his personal hardship of the job. Students bravely and eloquently asked questions and impressed His Honour on their knowledge of the legal system.  We are grateful to have had the opportunity of a private meeting with His Honour and were in awe of his personable nature.

We then entered a different court room and sat patiently for the Judge to arrive, while the accused sat nervously in the Dock at the back of the Courtroom and the Defence Barrister and OPP Crown Prosecutor Barrister and solicitor busily sorted through their files/documents.

All our studying about the strict courtroom procedures and role of the Judge soon became our real-life experience when the Tipstaff firmly called:  “Silence and All stand as Judge Cannon enters her Courtroom.”

Complete silence and utter respect for “Your Honour” filtered the courtroom and it became apparent very quickly that Judge was in total control of his courtroom. We were so fortunate to have also witnessed first-hand the twelve jurors and their concentration during the case. After all they are the deciders of the facts and their verdict will result in either the guilty being convicted and sentenced or being set free.

Almost one hour later we left the hearing so we could catch our train ride home, but this was not before we each stood and bowed to the judge.

Our experience at the Courts on the 17th October was indeed an experience of a life time. Our knowledge of Court Processes and Criminal Law proved to be motivational and an effective means of enhancing our classroom learning and curriculum.

The Year 11 Legal Studies students represented Melton Secondary College proudly and in fact told by the Bill Gilp at the Supreme Court that we would be welcome back anytime and are to be congratulated for their impeccable behaviour and insightful questions.

On behalf of both Ms Cometti and Ms Hackney, Congratulations Year 11 Legal Studies students for your enthusiasm, gratitude and exemplary representation of MSC.

7A and 8A STEM Innovate Excursion

Over the past 2 terms we have had 20 students from 7A and 8A participate in STEM Innovate program run by the ABCN. The program sought to connect students with industry professionals as they explored the opportunities of STEM in careers.

After hosting an initial morning tea at MSC for our mentors, we had 4 city excursions. On these days we caught the public transport into the Melbourne CBD to meet with our mentors at the Stockland Melbourne Office. Each of these sessions involved a short lunch, which gave us time to get to know our mentors, and a STEM team challenge.

The STEM activities included building bridges, designing apps, making parachutes and logic reasoning puzzles. The activities were designed to build collaborative and communication skills, as well as encourage creativity and problem solving.

We all had a great time and learnt lots. One student said: “It was fun, challenging and a great experience” which pretty much sums it up.

Here we are with our mentors at the end of our final session.