Year 9 LIFE Week 2016

LIFE Week 2016 saw Year 9 students expand their horizons and venture into some of the “Great Cities of Oz”. Students spent the week in either Perth City or further afield in Sydney and Canberra. The week focused on students undertaking real-world, authentic inquiry into the ‘heart’, ‘brain’, ‘courage’ or imagination of a city, assessing its greatness and the value of various landmarks.

Students who spent the week in Perth City developed their independence through utilising public transport and making their own way into the city each day. From there, they met teachers and spent the day visiting various locations and collecting a range of data sources to assist them with their inquiries.  On Monday, students began their journey through the city with visits to Scitech and the Bell Tower. On Tuesday, the pivotal event was a visit to Western Australia’s Parliament House where they discovered the processes of law-making in Western Australia.  Wednesday provided students with opportunities to undertake research activities at venues such as the State Library of Western Australia and the Perth City Library, while some students also accessed the Perth History Centre on that day.

Wednesday afternoon saw students and staff gather for a picnic lunch in Kings Park and the afternoon focused on the significance of war memorials in the park. On Thursday, students were treated to a special drama performance entitled “Fighting the Kaiser” and they visited different venues relevant to their inquiry questions. These venues included the Perth Mint, the Art Gallery of Western Australia and City Farm. On the last day in the city, students were based in the State Library of WA where they had time to carry out research for their inquiry task utilising the vast array of library resources. On Friday, students and staff also celebrated Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral and attended lunch and bocce games at the Perth Italian Club.

The Sydney Canberra tour flew out from Perth on the evening of Friday, 19 August. 17 students accompanied by three staff first headed for Sydney where they spent two days exploring this ‘Great city of Oz’. Saturday was a full day of sightseeing and tours including a visit to the archaeological dig at the historic Rocks precinct. This was followed by a tour of the museum and chapel at Mary Mackillop Place where students viewed the tomb of Australia’s first saint and in the afternoon students explored Circular Quay and toured the Sydney Opera House.

On Sunday, the journey through Sydney continued beginning with Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral followed by a visit to Martin Place and Darling Harbour where students visited the tourist icons of Madame Tussauds and the Sydney Sea Life Aquarium. On Sunday afternoon, students and staff made the journey down to Canberra in preparation of three days of exploring the nation’s capital.

On Monday, students visited two of Australia’s most culturally significant landmarks – Federal Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial. Tuesday and Wednesday continued the journey through Canberra with visits to Questacon, the National Archives, the Australian National Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. Students also had the opportunity to tour the National Library of Australia where they also had time to work on their inquiry tasks.

On Thursday, students journeyed to Berridale, NSW, which would be the base for two days of skiing and snowboarding experience. For many students this was their first opportunity to see snow.

LIFE Week 2016 spent out in the ‘Great cities of Oz’ provided Year 9 students to truly expand their horizons and enrich all aspects of the LIFE Curriculum. We look forward to the interactive texts students will produce based on their findings and which they will present to parents and invited guests in Perth City during transition week in Spring Term.

Ms Karen Taylor

Year 9 Learning Innovator

6 September 2016