This morning was another opportunity to go out on our own to collect information and data to add to our projects. Every student was part of a group and actively went about the city to gather information. The hub was empty for the first 2 hours of the day due to the enthusiasm of each of the groups to get out into the field.
After we all returned to the hub and had some lunch, we all walked up to Southern Cross station and caught the train to Richmond and then walked up the hill to the MCG. The biggest sporting facility in the Southern hemisphere sure lives up to its name when you see it in the flesh. We went on a tour conducted by a member of the MCC (Melbourne Cricket Club) by the name of Geoff and he really seemed to know his history of the ground itself and of the games of Cricket and Football. Some of the facts he told us were really mind boggling, for instance did you know that when all the light towers are switched on they burn over 1 and a half million watts of electricity! Stuff like this was issuing forth in rapid succession and we all got a little bewildered, but to get into the Hawthorn change rooms was a great treat and some of us tried to even lock ourselves away in some lockers. Over-all it was a great tour and a very enlightening look at such a huge icon of the city of Melbourne.

Wednesday in the City

This morning we met at Federation Square and had a look around at a vibrant part of the city. There were many people meeting each other at places around the edge of the square, and there were a few street performers trying to get our attention. This seems to have become an important corner of the city and there is always many people in small groups congregating in this area.

We moved from Federation Square back towards the Hub to begin our major projects that we have come to the city to do. Each group has chosen a topic to study while in the city. Fashion, entertainment, food, space, art and sporting facilities are some of the topics groups have chosen, and while we are in the city we have time to explore these topics and gather data that will help us present a detailed look into these topics we have chosen to do.

Today is the first oppportunity we have to go out on our own and collect information on the topics we have chsen to do. We can sign out for 2 hours and collect data then return to the hub to layout and begin to develop a way of presenting this data.

Visit to the Aquarium

The next stop we made was the Melbourne Aquarium where we were guided around some of the best fish exhibits we have ever seen. From moray eels to spider crabs this aquarium has it all.


Today we met at the HUB and worked some on our action plan for getting our projects started. This we did until 10am then nit was of to flagstaff station to begin the city scavenger hunt. We had to find a number of city icons and report back to Bourke Street by 11.30 am. This was great fun and we learnt alot about getting around the city at the same time. It was also fun because it rained on us for the whole of the hunt and we all got pretty wet - including the teachers.

Monday 25th May
We have finally made it to the City Weeks part of the Mordiexperience. We caught the train in to Southern Cross Station and we went straight to Melbourne Magistrate's Court where we saw the legal system in action. This was a very enlightening yet somber experience. A sense of error hung over this place; a sense that people had realised the gravity of the situation they had gotten themselves into and were truly ready to take the punishment and make amends.

It was then a little free time to get lunch and then on to the HUB to familiarise ourselves with the city class room. We unloaded our gear and generally just checked the place out.

In Preparation for City Week

Next week we all leave the confines of Mordialloc college and travel to the city. This part of our term's work involves working on personal projects from a base in the Melbourne CBD. We have to travel in by train each day and sign in at a place called the Hub and we will conduct our classes from there with lots of excursions around the city. Places like Federation square, Parliament house, the Aquarium, the MCG, Skydeck at Eureka tower, the Old Melbourne Gaol, the Magistrates Courts and a few more. As well as this we have to make up our own projects and collect information while we are out and about so that we can present our projects when we get back to school.This is part of the Mordiexperience we have all been eagerly awaiting.

The CIRCUS WORKSHOP
Last Wednesday a group of Year 9 students attended a circus workshop in Fitzroy. The 20 students met with trainers from Westside Circus for a 1 hour workshop.
Within the hour we had a go at the triple trapeze and learnt some juggling and hula hoop tricks. Before leaving we attempted to make a wall of people balancing on the bases.
It was a great day overall and everyone enjoyed it immensely.
Mr E in action