Aug 19 2008
Tuesday night week two Melb Work Experience
6pm and it was time to head out for the evening activities. All but one student home but that was not an issue as I had confidence in this student catching up with us at our first destination. And so he did. I was so proud of student A arriving only 5 mins late after a 50 min trip, (car lift to Laverton Station, train and then tram).
Destination one was International House in Parkville for tea. International House is a large s college associated with Uni Melb. Another accommodation option for any of our group who may venture to Melb for tertiary study. Tram 19 stop 15. Arrived just in the nick of time after encountering tram over crowding issues.
A scrabble of activity, gowned students taking their seats, a brief welcome, a few students announcements, a clatter of cutlery and the meal is over, followed by a rapid departure from the dining hall.
This was then followed by a brief tour of the college.
Well! It was now only 8pm and too early to head home so it was the last trick in the bag. The, “Mr P’s mistery tour of Melbourne at night.”
Student reaction: Better than I thought.
Intinery:
Tram to Melb Central. Experience the underground at night. Can be spooky. Not many students use the underground to get to work, so this was a new expereince for many.
Next challenge, catch the first train to Parliament Station.
Alight at Parliament and ride the longest escalators in Melb to Bourke St exit. I don’t think anyone had seen these escalators before. Comments: “are we really that deep underground????”
Walk to top of Parliament House steps and look down Bourke St. A sight to behold. Parliament was sitting but due to the fact that we did not have a booking, were not permitted to enter.
A quick walk to the Old Treasury Building steps at the top end of Collins St and a never ending history lesson from Mr P. ( not too many neg comments)
Next stop. Collins Place/ Hotel Sofitel/toilets and a beautiful stroll down the Paris end of Collins St.
Next, left into Swanston St and a walk along past Fed Square and to South Bank. Fed Square now quite familiar territory for most students.
Next. Just how good were the ice creams from South Bank? Beautiful.
The students by now know the drill for home. It was interesting at this point, with this group as I had not received the usual pleads of, ” my feet are killing me, I am tired, I am sick. Can we go home? I am bored!!!!!.” The quality and satisfaction of the ice cream must have been working wonders.
Over the footbridge to Flinders St, to the tram terminal and catch any departing tram for the hostel, arriving at 10-10pm. perfect timing.
Off to bed without the usual rounds of, ” do we have to?, it is far too early to go to bed, I am not tired!!!!!” None of that, how pleasant. This is one of the things you see develop over two consecutive weeks. They start to appreciate body and mind management resulting from sleep.
Wednesday, day three awaits another round of work and adventures.
Hmmm… did you mean misery or mystery. I think this scavenger hunt is one with a difference and sounds like it was both challenging and interesting. Great way to finish the night and make those students tired!!!!
Well done GP. As I write this from the comfort and warmth of my lounge room chair, you and Trish are still chugging your way home on the Melb to Warrnambool train after a very long week in melbourne. The work you do with this work experience is amazing and I still say it is the single best thing my children ever did at hawkesdale College. Thank you. Your organisation and energy is unrivalled. Enjoy your weekend.
Thax alot poynto for arranging all this for us we really apreciate it a heap and thax for puttin up wiv our crap your an ace teacher !!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for the experience we had in melbune
Thanks a lot for all the effort you put in to work experience. It was a great opportunity and worth while. A once in a lifetime experience!
THANKYOU! for the awesome experience, the late nights, the tours, the fancy dinners, as much as i may have complianed all the way, i really really loved it ! a Fantastic experience i highly recomend to all future students! and thankyou once again for the time and effort you put into organising the two weeks!
Thanks everyone. GP