Day 2: Graffiti, climbing and stargazing




Our second day started out bright and early with a 6am start - the teachers were super impressed with the total lack of complaining about the early rise and everyone up and ready to go on time! A sign of excitement for the full day ahead. 

After breakfast in the hotel, we were off on foot again, amongst the bustle of a pre-work CBD. A brisk 10 degrees greeted us so the first stop for the day was Starbucks, where Miss Kybus treated the kids to a hot chocolate complete with whipped cream and marshmallows. This was a new experience even for the Starbucks staff who had to learn how to input ‘39 hot chocolates’ to the register and then move into a hot chocolate making super team.


We took our lovely warm beverages past Federation Square, for a visit to another quintessential part of Melbourne culture - the graffiti lanes. We started in Hosier Lane where we got to witness a work in progress, complete with crane for the large scale work. We then moved onto AC/DC Lane, where the students were amazed at some of the handiwork on display.


Having had our fill of culture for the morning, it was into adventure - climbing mania at Clip n Climb. Fortunately, our students were fresh off learning how to use carabiners from the abseiling and high ropes course on camp, so we whipped through the safety demonstration and straight into climbing. Students had free reign of climbing on any of the vertical obstacles, and their seemingly fearless attitudes was impressive to watch as they spent then next hour scrambling up walls like nimble little monkeys. Most impressive were the students who took the 'leap of faith' - climbing up to a high platform and then jumping in hopes of catching the bag set some distance away. Miss Preston won the award for loudest and longest scream on that one!


Having worked off our breakfast and hot chocolate treats, we moved over to western Melbourne for fish and chips in the park at Williamstown. Here, we had a fabulous view over the harbour and Melbourne city skyline while we enjoyed our food in the sunshine.

Next up - exploration at Scienceworks, including a visit to the Planetarium where we reclined in the auditorium and hurtled through space with our ‘Ticket to the Universe’. We looked at what the night sky above us would look like that night and the constellations and planets were pointed out by the tour guide and with animations. We then moved further and further into outer space before finally coming back to Earth. There were gasps of wonder throughout the presentation and this was a definite favourite of many touring members. Students also had free time to explore the different activities that reinforce various scientific concepts from the physics of movement, light and sound through to astronomy. An educational and fun filled way to spend the afternoon!


Ray then took us back ‘home’ to drop off our gift shop purchases and freshen up before a pizza dinner and night at the movies. Tonight’s viewing - ‘Johnny English Strikes Again’. Students were treated to a popcorn, drink and choc top combo as we settled into a blissful couple of hours of ludicrous comedy. Another big day ahead tomorrow - watch out, Sovereign Hill!


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