The ‘big school’ had some very special visitors at the end of 2023 when Year 2 students from the Glen Waverley Campus travelled to St Kilda Road to learn about the history of the College and how they fit into the wider Wesley community.
Many students had never been on a bus, had an excursion or travelled so far from home before, having started their school years during COVID.
Glen Waverley teacher, Donna Greig, spent a great deal of time preparing for the visit, designed to support the Year 2 PYP Unit of Inquiry into ‘Where we are in place and time’. Investigating the Unit’s central idea that ‘Exploring evidence within a place tells us about the past and connects us to today,’ the students delved into the history and people who founded our school. Donna also designed a trail for the students to follow, explaining how the First Peoples would have used the land and what the landscape would have looked like before the buildings obscured the view to what is now Albert Park Lake.
The tour included a visit to Reception to see the oldest photo of the school, as well as significant paintings and objects located in the Prime Ministers’ cabinet. Students then spent time in the Waugh Room, trying on old uniforms and looking at old exercise books, report cards, pictures and crockery used by the original boarders. Some of them exclaimed their parents had uniforms just like these ‘old ones!’ All items were handled with white cotton gloves, which made them look like professional archivists.
A visit to see the statue of Sir Robert Menzies (OW1912) was the highlight of the day as the students learned who he was and what he achieved. The Nye Quadrangle was a place for further discussion about the history of the school, followed by a visit to the science gallery which was another memorable moment.
Some of the students also had time to see the chapel and learn about the different religions and what the symbols mean. It was also a place to learn about John Wesley and see the stained-glass memorial windows and the names of the Old Collegians who served during World War I.
It was a learning experience too for some of the teachers who rarely get the opportunity to come to the original site.
Perhaps one of the most endearing moments was when a group of students started singing ‘Grey Towers’ as they walked through the Percy Lane Memorial Gates. ‘And rolling years shall guard your honour still’. We have no doubt these young students will proudly continue the traditions of this great school for years to come.
