21 Jul 2017
On 15th of June, year 12 Modern History and Visual Arts students embarked on a historical and cultural journey to Sydney to supplement their HSC course with Ms McInnes and Ms Astley. The students were treated to special lectures at the Jewish Holocaust Museum from an Auschwitz Holocaust survivor and one on German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl, which was invaluable for their HSC course. They were provided with a private tour of the museum where they were exposed to many primary sources and historical artefacts that survived from World War II and the concentration camps. That night, the students were in awe of the light show at the Vivid Light Festival in Circular Quay and the Botanical Gardens and were joined by Mr McNeill's excursion, which made the experience extremely special. The vibrant colours, spectacles of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House and the sheer number of people in attendance made it a night to remember.
The following day we ventured through the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art. The art galleries allowed the students to view artworks relevant to their Visual Art Case Studies and enhanced their understanding of artist practice and curatorship. That night we caught the ferry to Luna Park to enjoy a fun, carnival style atmosphere full of adrenaline where, to the students delight, they went on rollercoasters, dodgem cars and Ferris wheels.
On our final day, students gave up their Saturday for a Modern History Study Day at the University of Sydney where they listened to lectures from experts on topics such as World War I, Weimar Germany, Leni Riefenstahl and a European focus on World War II. These lectures equipped students with additional knowledge on their subject areas, including strategies to help them in their upcoming Trials and HSC examinations. The excursion was a huge success and was a fantastic example of one of the many opportunities afforded to our students in order to maximise their learning experiences during their schooling at West Wyalong High School.
