Design excursion to Swinburne
Senior lecturer in Industrial Design, Dr Charlie Ranscombe of Swinburne University of Technology, led 17 Year 10 Design students through a day long model-making and prototyping workshop. The intention was to gain skills in design sketching and model making using card, acrylic and blue foam, to prototype and validate their design ideas. Encouraging students in Design classes to be more experimental in their approach to problem solving has been a focus of the Design Faculty across the College for several years. This approach is central to our curriculum, offering students the opportunity to get hands on with a variety of materials and technologies to translate their ideas from 2D into 3D. This was an enjoyable excursion, unique to Wesley College’s Year 10 Design program.
Daniel Galvin, Head of Faculty Design and Technology
Art Award
Congratulations to Jent Jiang, Year 11 IBDP student, who has been selected to be on the NGV Teen Council this year. Jent is an enthusiastic photographer and filmmaker and is currently studying Year 1 of IBDP Visual Art.
Members of the NGV Teen Council meet with museum staff working in a variety of different roles, go behind the scenes and contribute to the design, coordination and promotion of NGV programs for teens. Meetings take place at the NGV or online one Wednesday per month. The NGV Teen Council is a diverse group of friendly, inclusive and enthusiastic young people, where all opinions and ideas are encouraged.
Michele Maher, Head of Faculty: Arts
Holocaust Museum visit
Last week, some of our Year 10 students visited the Jewish Holocaust Centre to learn more about the event that created the term Genocide, first-hand. Here is a reflection written by Kiara Nathoo:
Intrigued by Vivienne’s story, I was compelled to ask a question. I felt nervous about getting in front of the camera and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. Regardless, it was on the tip of my tongue, and I felt that to recognise the event better, I should ask. It was simply a once in a lifetime opportunity.
I put up my hand and stood up, introducing myself to Vivienne Speedwell, a holocaust survivor. I began my question, asking Vivienne if there was ever a moment where she had nearly been caught. Vivienne began recalling her time in France as she explained that she was lucky enough to not have ever been caught but she explained little incidents relating to that because she was not in the absolute midst of the Holocaust in Germany and Poland.
In speaking to Vivienne, even though a screen, I felt a closer connection to understanding what had occurred during the Holocaust. Like she was with us physically in the room, answering my question. I sat back down after listening to her and felt a large sense of empathy as I attempted to put myself through her life.
I honestly could not imagine the fear and uncertainty Vivienne would have gone through. Whilst she answered more questions, unravelling more about her experiences during the Holocaust. I became more empathetic, and a deeper understanding was formed, as I had the opportunity to speak with someone who had lived through the devastating and catastrophic event that wrecked so many lives.
This was just one of 30 or more reflections, many of which echoed the same thoughts. The excursion had a profound impact, and we look forward to the remainder of Year 10 visiting next term.
James Carroll, Year 10 MYP Coordinator
Here are some snapshots from the design excursion and Holocaust Museum visit.
