City Experience Week, Monday 30th June to Friday 4th July, provided students with the opportunity to develop their independence, confidence, and collaboration skills. Across the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, the program provided the ideal setting for students to engage in real-world learning while building their resilience to challenges as a critical life skill. Students approached the week with a positive attitude and strong curiosity. Eureka Skydeck offered a chance for students to be thrilled by heights and familiarise themselves with the city. The Shrine of Remembrance, State Library and Australian Music Vault sparked a genuine interest in history and culture. Students were able to go behind the scenes on the MCG tour in the locker rooms. Students smashed through the escape rooms and were impressed at O’Brien’s Icehouse. These activities were chosen to strengthen teamwork and resilience.
Despite the logistical challenges of moving large groups through a busy city, students were punctual, respectful, and responsible. In high praise to our student cohort, staff have appreciated the way students took ownership of their schedules, communicated effectively, and supported each other in navigating unfamiliar spaces. Now back at school for Term 3, students will consolidate their learning with a thoughtful completion of workbook tasks, allowing meaningful group discussions and reflection on their time. The week served not only as an engaging educational experience but also as a valuable step in developing skills for life. We hope all Year 9 Students finish the week proud of what they have accomplished and confident in their readiness for future responsibilities.
My City Experience: A Week of Discovery
By Ella McKenzie
City experience was an engaging introduction to the bustling streets of Melbourne with structured days and scheduled activities. It allowed us, year 9 students, to practice time management and safety in groups while still having some supervision by the Mooroolbark College staff. By allowing students with partial independence, they can learn about the world and things they need to be aware of when they exit High School and even in present times. I felt it was an amazing opportunity to connect with people in the year level and learn about the responsibilities of independence.
On the first day, Baan house explored the Australian Music Vault and the State Library, completing booklet activities along the way. We ran around, seeking answers and exploring places some of us had never been to before. On this day we went to Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, going into stores and impulsively trying on formal dresses, creating happy memories in the store “Paper Kites”. We learned how to manage our time and how to adhere to the wants of everyone in the group by spending shared time in different stores. This day went smoothly and was a great way to dip our toes into the city culture.
Day Two, Three and Four were a rush of activity with big, exciting activities and constant travelling. We visited the Shrine of Remembrance for a Presentation and time for Self-Guided Exploration, The MCG for a behind the scenes tour ideal for all footy fans, The Eureka Skydeck the place many of us faced a fear, daring to go outside or even in the glass box, the O’Brien Icehouse for laughs and a good time, the Universal Restaurant for great Italian Cuisine and finally the Adventure Escape Rooms for a test of critical thinking. We learned a lot about teamwork, about lifting up our friends and helping them to succeed and try new things. I found my views on the city changed, I always saw it as a place of Upscale Firms and people I formal attire, but from walking the streets with my friends and being informed on the interesting history I realised its so much more, it’s a place of rich musical culture, unforgettable experience opportunities, a place to make memories and to try new things.
Then to Day Five, the test of independence, teamwork and creativity, the day of the Amazing Race. This was the day I enjoyed the most, it was so freeing and empowering to explore the city alone with a close group of classmates. Me and My group dressed up as full Smurf’s complete with tutu’s, blue outfits and bright blue eyelashes. We got to express our creativity and had many interactions with the public as they wondered what we were doing. It was so funny dressing up and having everyone looking at you, wondering what it was you were dressed up for. Countless times passersby thought we were all Elsa (???), but all asked what we were doing and showered us with praise on the great outfits. Racing around the city was not stressful, it was fun having a competition, the teachers did a great job organising the event and having well-written clues. I would love to thank them for the organisation of such a fun learning experience filled with memories and lessons we will hold on to and remember.
From this experience, new friendships were made, new skills were discovered, and the groups became closer and more connected. Photos were taken and memories were made, it was truly an experience to remember, something that I would suggest everyone in younger year levels attend. Not just one activity was great, all of them were so engaging and so memorable I could not choose just one, so thank you for the fabulous selection the teachers made and the amount of time they spent organising this fabulous event, it was such a fun way to end the term.
