2023 | ISSUE 12 | SJC Newsletter

Our 2023 Inaugural Humanities Great Amazing Race

In Humanities, we have been learning different units including History, Civics, Commerce and Geography. In week four of term three, our whole year level had the amazing opportunity to be a part of The Great Amazing Race. The purpose of the event was to consolidate what we are learning in Humanities and to build our team collaboration and problem-solving skills. We were allocated class time in Humanities to complete a range of preparation tasks which equipped us with key navigational skills, knowledge about locations and strategies to work as a team. The Great Melbourne Race was a thrilling experience of going to various parts of Melbourne’s CBD whilst solving clues, taking photos, videos and collecting treasures. We visited iconic landmarks of Melbourne, including the Shrine of Remembrance, Parliament House, MCG, Sandridge Bridge and the National Gallery of Victoria. We were given responsibility to work in teams and design our own route based on a point-based system. The race rule was that teams had to use trams or foot racing together. This was challenging but very rewarding. Students felt a real sense of achievement when their race strategy was a success! Our 2023 Amazing Race champions will be announced and presented with prizes and medals at our next Westcourt Gathering.

Firstly, we started at The Shrine of Remembrance and had to take photos at different commemorative stations around the parameter of the Shrine including the post WW2 fountain and the Driver statue. One of the bonus points at the Shrine was to locate a significant plague and Memorial Tree which opened in April this year. The significance of this station was that it highlighted the changing nature of commemoration. It acknowledged the lasting impact of warfare on soldiers particularly Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. From there, we walked along St Kilda Road. We passed the Police Memorial which we learnt gives recognition to all of the Victoria Police who have died while on duty. We were surprised by the names and ages of those who have died. We also discovered the impressive green spaces in the city, including the Queen Victoria Gardens and the Royal Botanical Gardens.

We reached our check-in base of Federation Square and were given the task to untangle each other in a circle. Before we knew it, the race begun, our team ‘Trojan Horse’, consisting of Harry, Ryan and myself rushed to the Royal Arcade and saw ‘Gog and Magog’, two large statues that strike a bell every half hour. Once we accomplished the certain set challenges, we went to Chinatown. We learnt that Melbourne has a rich multi-cultural heritage and celebrates the traditions, cuisines and cultures that have settled in the city. Our team completed a team jumping photo in front of one of the five arches located between Swanston and Exhibition Street! Ours was judged by the SJC Staff as one of the best so we each received a fortune cookie. We were also challenged to pick up as many additional bonus points throughout the race. We discovered inspiring art everywhere in Melbourne, hidden in nooks and crannies, over, under and around street corners. Students needed effective time-management skills to be back at Federation Square for a puzzle challenge which was to work out the meaning of the Aboriginal word for Melbourne, Naarm. Free donuts were given to the teams who solved the puzzle!

Throughout the day we raced and planned every move that we were going to make to give us the best fighting chance of winning. The set time to make it back to Federation Square to go on the bus was 1:30pm, at 1:22pm our team was stuck at the National Gallery, we hadn’t planned for this. Once we collected the pamphlets we crossed the road and rushed back to Federation Square. At 1:26pm we were halfway on the bridge we collectively picked up the pace to a jog. 1:28pm we picked up the pace to a run, the sun was beating down and time was becoming a burden. Before we knew it, we were there, at 1:29pm. We handed in all we needed to and finally finished the Amazing Race. The day was fun and an experience to remember. It taught us skills of planning, collaboration, communication and responsibility. We also learnt how to navigate around the city of Melbourne.

Congratulations to all students who participated in the event with great enthusiasm. Special thanks to our Humanities teachers, Ms Ashlee Tanner, Mr David McNeel, Mr Peter O’Connor, Ms Adele Watt, Mr Luke Parsons, Ms Kerry Drever, Mr Nathanael Smith and Mrs Annalee McKew who all helped prepare us for a memorable day.

Alexander Mihicinac, Ryan Bilston and Harry Windmeyer.
Year 9 Humanities Students