Students perspective - Rockclimbing

On the 10/4/08 all the year 9 Mordi experience people went on an excursion to the Victorian rock climbing centre in Seaford. We travelled by the school bus in 2 groups. The girls arrived early so we had to wait for about half an hour. Then the boys arrived. After a brief description of how to work the harnesses safely, we pared off and started climbing the walls. After about 2 hours every one's arms were hurting from gripping onto the rocks. The last hour was a struggle and people were giving up easy. We then had lunch and headed back to school.

ANZAC DAY

This is a special day in the Australian calendar, a chance for us to pay our respects to those who sacrificed so much by serving this country in times of war.
Legacy is an organisation that cares for the widows and dependants of deceased servicemen and it has a service at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance for school age children every year on the schoolday prior to ANZAC day. This is a symbolic hand over service of the Legacy Torch, which is the obligation of the original returning Anzacs to look after the families of their fallen comrades.
We students of Mordialloc Experience were privileged to attend this solemn ceremony along with so many other students. It really was a humbling and uplifting experience all at once. All of us that were present felt a deep sense of gratitude for the gift of freedom that the Anzacs have given us.

Happy and free.

Our SRC representatives placing a wreath in honour.

The Bugler playing the Last Post proved a moving tribute.

Students from all places came to pay their respects.

Everyone was given a sprig of rosemary to signify the fallen.

RSPCA

We all travelled on the school bus to the RSPCA site at Burwood for a information session about the role of the RSPCA and careers in the animal management industry. Jobs like vet, vet nursing, animal attendant, animal control officer are some of the career pathways we talked about. Then we were taken out to the barn to meet some of the animals that are taken care of by the RSPCA. Over-all it was a very informative and worthwhile excursion.

This video shows some sheep eating oat and molasses mix from our hands. We all had to cup our hands while the handlers put a mix of oats and molasses in them. Apparently this is the sheep equivalent to chocolate. Judging by the reaction from the sheep, they liked it.

Lecture theatre

Paying attention

In the barn

Local RSPCA celebrity "Penny"

Outer yard with sheep, horses goats and one emu

Rachel the cow

Crowding around to see the kittens

Disinfection point

Holmesglen TAFE

"On Wednesday 16th of April the girls of the Mordialloc Experience went to Holmesglen TAFE. We got a tour of the place and the different things you could learn at TAFE. I thought the experience was encouraging and knowledgeable."
"Today was really fun, I enjoyed it! My favourite part was when we walked past the builders:)
The lady told us some good information which helped."
Holmesglen TAFE is a very large tertiary learning facility. It provides a very 'hands on' learning environment for trade based careers and has over 50,000 students in attendance. We have been able to tour through the campus by contacting the Victorian governments Youthconnect network. The tour shows the different areas where apprentices learn the skills needed for their trade.

Brickwork area

paying attention

Carpentry section

Looking down on the joinery section

Smoko is over!

Library (Learning Commons)

BRAND NEW TERM, BRAND NEW TEAM

Da girls

Hello there everyone,
The second term of 2008 began at the start of the week and the next group of year nine students was introduced to the Mordialloc Experience program.
The first week of the program is really a "getting to know you" exercise as well as an introduction to what is a complete deviation to the standard, garden variety year nine course. The response has been very positive and this group seem really switched on and eager to enjoy all this program has to offer.
Egg drops, bridge building, ice breaker activities, scavenger hunt and mini Olympics are coupled with student leadership applications, course overview and general information sessions, code of cooperation creation and student/staff biography quizzes. All of this work over the first week climaxes with a Rock climbing excursion to promote team building and trust within the whole group.
What a Week!

Here are some pics of the goings on in the first week

Paying attention.

How does he do that?

This is harder than it looks!

In the cave.

Design stage

This looks like it'll work

The moment of truth.

Paper, scissors, rock

Hmmmmm...was that 798 or 897........?