Our France & Italy study tour has come to a spectacular close, filled with unforgettable moments, rich cultural encounters, and plenty of adventure.
We began our journey in the City of Lights, where students soaked up the magic of Paris—climbing the Arc de Triomphe, exploring the bohemian charm of the Quartier Latin, mastering the art of macaron baking, and watching the Eiffel Tower shimmer at sunset. Our visit to the majestic Palace of Versailles was a highlight, especially for our Year 12 History students, who were able to connect the opulence of the court with their studies of the French Revolution.
Heading south aboard the TGV, we explored the vibrant region of Provence, including Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, and Arles. Highlights included a guided tour of the Papal Palace, retracing the steps of artists Van Gogh and Cezanne, bustling markets, medieval laneways, and a fragrant visit to a perfume factory in Grasse. In Nice, we strolled along the famous Promenade des Anglais, soaking in the Riviera atmosphere. We even had a surprise reunion in Avignon with former MSJ student Bridget (Class of 2023), who is currently studying on exchange in Grenoble!
From France, we crossed into Italy to discover the wonders of Venice, where students wandered the maze-like streets and canals, toured the Doge’s Palace, and admired the grandeur of St Mark’s Square. Florence offered a deep dive into Renaissance history and art—as well as a hands-on pasta-making class that delighted everyone's taste buds.
Our journey concluded in the Eternal City—Rome. From the ancient stones of the Colosseum and Roman Forum to the elegant Spanish Steps and the magical Trevi Fountain, every step was a lesson in history and beauty. As part of the Church’s Jubilee Year celebrations, students also undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy Doors of St Peter’s Basilica, a powerful and moving way to end our two-week European adventure.
From sparkling towers to sacred doors, winding canals to sunlit piazzas, this tour has been a mosaic of learning, laughter, and lasting memories. Until next time—à bientôt and arrivederci!
Early in Term 2, Year 9 Outdoor Education and Duke of Edinburgh students completed an overnight hike from Bells Beach to Anglesea. Carrying full packs, cooking on Trangias, and camping overnight in tents, students were challenged both physically and mentally while surrounded by the beauty of the Great Ocean Road. There are a few of their reflections
Reaching the Finish Line
Theresa Morton described a strong sense of achievement and relief upon completing the hike, noting how rewarding it was to see how far they'd walked. Similarly, Annabel Gowans reflected on her pride and resilience, saying the journey gave her confidence after pushing through moments when she wanted to stop.
Memorable Moments
Rin Tanaka highlighted the beauty of the trail and the quiet support of friends as key moments. Alira Mangala recalled the stunning view after a tough climb, as well as the joy of walking and laughing with friends, sharing snacks, and encouraging each other along the way.
Personal Growth
The journey was also a chance for students to learn about themselves. Sophie Cookson discovered her inner resilience, realising she could apply this strength to daily challenges like exams and responsibilities. Maya de Graaf found that physical activity boosted her motivation and focus, a lesson she plans to use by staying active in everyday life.
Overall, the hike offered more than just a physical challenge – it helped build friendships, resilience, and a deeper connection with the natural environment.
On June 17th, our class took part in a Social Justice Day activity, starting with a beach clean-up in the morning. Everyone got involved and worked really well as a team, and it was great to see how much rubbish we were able to collect. It felt good knowing we were doing something helpful for the environment and the local community. In the afternoon, we went to Flip Out and had an awesome time jumping around, doing the activities, and just having fun together.
Sofia & Aradhya - 8B
The 17th of June was an amazing day for both the year 8 MSJ students and St. Augustine's students. To start the day off, 8C and 8E went to St. Augustine's Primary School to help out with the preps, year ones and year twos, sharing our knowledge and kindness through sport games, math games and arts and crafts. It really helped us connect and learn from helping others and we got to learn more about the creativity of younger generations that will also help us in the future. To reward our work with St. Augustine's, we went to see the live action movie, ‘How to train your dragon’!
Lily, Tatum, Taysha & Ruby - 8C & 8E
On the 17th of June, 8G and 8F went on an excursion to The 100 Steps Of Federation to plant different trees and grasses. We used pickaxes to dig holes and some people got mud all over themselves, especially when the ground got really squishy. After digging, we had to add water crystals into the holes which help keep the plants hydrated until they're strong enough to grow on their own. Then we placed the plants in, covered them with soil, and patted them down gently. Even though it was freezing, everyone had a great time and we'll probably find out in a few years how good our planting actually was! After we did tree planting, the two classes split up into their respective activities: a Games Arcade or Ice Skating.
Alinah, Hridhya, Alannah & Mila - 8F & 8G
On the 17th of June, 8H visited the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre. When we arrived, we were split into four groups. Each group was assigned a different activity chosen by the Sisters to help support their daily operations. The activities we participated in were Card Making, where we designed thoughtful cards for patients in their local hospital; creating a beautiful display for the gift shop; raking leaves and gardening; and Video Making, where we created video content to promote the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre. On behalf of the school the class captains presented the centre with heartfelt thank you gifts - a framed photo of our 60 Years Yearbook Cover and a portrait of Pope Leo XIV. To finish off the day, we played laser tag as a class. It was a fun and energetic activity that got us excited, laughing and moving around. It gave us a great chance to bond, work as a team and enjoy each other's company after a meaningful day of service.
Lola & Mia - 8H
