Futures Week Reflection

How was Futures week for you?
It was quite enjoyable, even though I find thinking about the future to be a little terrifying, even if I’m not thinking about robots and dinosaurs and just thinking about what I want to do and how the rest of my life might turn out.

What was a highlight and/or a lowlight?
A highlight was definitely the trail, I had a really good time and enjoyed finding out about other peoples’ opinions and hanging around with Sam D and Olivia. I don’t think there were any lowlights, it was a pretty good week.

You’re about to enter the final week of Galileo…
How are you feeling about your journey in Galileo this term?
I feel really good and I’ve had such a lovely time. I’ve definitely learnt a lot but I also feel unprepared for next term and quite nervous about going back into mainstream school.

Is there anything that you would like to change?
Ah no. I think everything was as good as it could have been. It happened as it happened and there is no way around that and no point in wishing it had been different.

Are you feeling ready for next week’s major tasks – final exhibition and student led conference?
I’m quite anxious about them, really. I’m worried about how the rest of my team will pull through and I haven’t worked enough on the student led conference yet.

What is self-publishing –> What are zines?

To do this critical question I need to adapt the options trail question slightly so it works with what we actually researched. A zine is an independent publication usually made by an individual or a small group of individuals, often photocopied with little or no advertising and always made for love not profit. There are many different types of zines, personal zines, music zines, fiction, literary, comics, photography and art zines for example. There are many other zines that don’t fall into those categories and are just downright strange. I’m finding it hard to put detail into this because it isn’t a yes or no question and we didn’t get enough information about any of our options questions. So I think I will leave it at that.  

Options Trail Week Reflection

What did you learn about yourself this week?
I learnt that when in unexpected situations I can pull things together and work in a group quite well.

How did you do under pressure? How did your team do?
I think we didn’t really feel the pressure until we got to Friday which is a big problem because sometimes being under pressure is what gets us doing things and completing things.

What was a highlight from Options Trail?
We had a really good time and we ended up completing all our tasks and at the end of the day we felt really good about it and overall very positive even though it wasn’t so great at the start.

A low light?
There were quite a few low lights from Friday morning but I’ll focus on how we were underprepared because we didn’t have a plan B. I mean, we sort of had a plan B which was to upload the documents we completed on thursday to our gmail. Unfortunately that didn’t happen so we probably should have checked if they had been uploaded.

What was a challenge that you and your group overcame?
Missing a team member and not having all the documents we needed. I feel really grateful for Carly that she sorted us out but we all felt really guilty and I think it was good that we had a wakeup call. I’m so happy about how things turned out because we typed up and printed all the documents we needed before having our first interview and we planned our day well and ended up finishing all our work.

Were there any moments of brilliance from your team members this week?
Repeating what I’ve said previously, the way we got everything done after a few problematic things and how much of a good time we had it was just so nice.

Would the problems of the world be solved if we were all more mindful?

My answer is no. On the mindfulness trail we learnt that being mindful was being alert and aware of the present moment, not thinking about the future or the past, being aware of yourself and what is happening to you in that moment, relaxing and enjoying everything that is happening in the now. I don’t believe that these things could solve the worlds problems. I do believe that everyone being more mindful would benefit us because we would be happier, kinder to each other etc. But I really don’t see how it could solve the sort of problems our world has, solve problems on a huge scale. 

The main problem I have with this question is that it would be quite impossible for everybody to be more mindful, and mindful enough to actually make a difference. Even though that isn’t really what the question is about I find it very hard to believe and therefore struggle to say yes. 

Even if we were all more mindful there would still be many people who made bad choices or would want to do bad things. Being mindful is also quite difficult, in class and on the trail we meditated in several different places and different situations. I did feel calm and relaxed and more aware of things that were going on but after the meditation it faded fast. To be good at being mindful you have to practice it and again I think it would be extremely difficult for the entire population to be more mindful. 

If we solved some problems, the things we would do to solve them would create new problems. 

I do think that if we were mindful we would be happier, healthier, more open to other people’s problems and generally better human beings.

Is it easy to do the right thing?

I think this is a hard question to answer, similar to the justice week critical question. Right and wrong can be very different things in people’s’ minds, it depends on your own values, the way you were brought up, whereabouts you live and its culture and what religion you follow, if any. When we were in class and we had to do a task in which a few people were on a lifeboat and we had to sacrifice someone, a lot of us argued about who to throw off the boat because we had different values and different ideas of what was wrong and right. I think it is easy to do the right thing by your own standards and values because the right thing is probably what you want to do, if it is right in your mind, but it isn’t easy if you factor in the situation, consequences, what others think and what may be socially acceptable. My answer to this question is I am in between because in some cases it is easy and others, not.

So the thing that you think is right may not necessarily be right from somebody else’s view and many different things affect what we do and the choices we make, for example our family/peers. We also know what is right and wrong but choose to do the wrong thing to defy others/because it is better for you/because you are forced to. It also depends heavily on the situation. For example, at school we are not allowed to cheat on tests. I know that cheating on a test is wrong but when we went to Headspace and we were given the situation of the girl who knew how to work out all the questions but didn’t do well in tests because she got nervous and forgot the answers, I decided that if I were in that situation I would cheat on the test because I thought the girl deserved it and I was sympathetic for her.

A lot of the time there isn’t a choice that is clearly right, there are just choices that are less wrong. An example of this (in my personal opinion) is who to vote for in the government when it is election time. There is no perfect, ‘right’ choice, you just have to choose for the party that is not as bad as the other parties. In our world there are many bad or wrong choices that we face and few perfect, clearly right ones. Sometimes we don’t make the right choice because it is just too hard and it is easier to go for the bad choice.

During class and also when we went to Headspace we had to do an activity in which we went to one side of the room if we agreed with a statement and the other side if we disagreed. When the cheating on the test question came up Tracey said that she would have wanted to cheat on the test, but would have been too scared to. This shows that it isn’t always about what you want and that if you assess the risk and think about how comfortable you are with the consequences you may be able to make an informed decision, but again, it really depends on the situation and your personality.

I would like to end this with a quote from Ben Kingsley in a movie called ‘The Confession’.

“It’s not hard to do the right thing; in fact it’s easy. What’s hard is knowing what the right thing to do is. Once you know that, and believe it, doing the right thing is easy.”

Reflection

What differences have you noticed amongst the two Sharman classes? Are you closer? Have the connections that you made on camp remained strong?
Well, I think most of us bonded on camp with people who we weren’t that close with, I feel like we are more of a collective group rather than just two different classes. I do think that it dipped a bit but the performance/story thing we had today was really nice and I think it brought us back closer together. We still have a bit of a thing between the two classes, though. -whispers- 9s1 is better..

Did you enjoy being able to choose your theme this week? What was the most interesting moment either on trail or in the class session? Why?
I really enjoyed philosophy, it interested me a lot and I quite enjoyed myself. I’d already been curious about philosophy and I’m really glad I got a choice because I didn’t want to do the comedy class/trail. I really liked thinking about how people have different ideas of what’s wrong and right, and found the activity in which we had to go to a side of the room kinda entertaining and enjoyed listening to other people’s’ points of view.

How are you feeling about your team project? Has your group changed how it works together since the mini trail presentation or are you behaving in the same manner?
I’m feeling okay about the team project. But I think I will get a bit nervous when it comes closer to the deadlines for things. We’ve been working more in class than we were before but I do feel a bit anxious because I’m the leader for the community project and I’m not sure if we’ll pull everything together in time for the options trail + the community action project deadline. I’m just hoping we’ve learnt our lesson from last time.

Camp Reflection

Which personal qualities, skills or areas of knowledge did you have the opportunity to develop? Were they connected to your learning goals, or did you surprise yourself?

I think camp was really good because it covered a lot of areas. Team work, one of my learning goals, was a really big one. In out tent groups we had to put up our tent, cook our dinner and clean our dishes in our cooking group, navigate together on our hikes. It was really nice and a lot of people seemed different while we were on camp, friendlier. Small talk, too, was a part of camp. Occasionally we were separated from our friends and had to socialise with others so I got quite a lot of practice talking to people who I didn’t know very well. I had to find common interests and start from there. I was also really proud of myself for finishing the 12k hike so easily, it strengthened my self esteem for sure. I definitely figured out that I have good stamina. Even though I wasn’t as fit as others, I got up the hills before them because I kept my pace instead of slowing down or stopping for short breaks.

Reflect on your highlights and any personal challenges that you overcame – what aspects of these experiences do you think you will carry into other areas of your life?

I enjoyed the hike so much which was really unexpected. Before camp I did think I was going to have a really good time but not on the hike. The hike was the only thing I didn’t look forward to. I thought it would be very difficult for me and that I wouldn’t be able to complete it without a lot of effort. I’m really proud that I finished it and felt really great while doing it. The scenery was beautiful and I just felt really healthy. It was good to be outside. Now I feel like even if I think I can’t do something, if I give it a go I’ll probably end up doing it. I just need to try.

If you could have taken/left one item to/from camp – what would it have been? Why?
I wish I had taken a pillow or my own sleeping mat. I mean, they would’ve taken up too much space and been too heavy in my pack but I was really uncomfortable and didn’t sleep very well at all. I probably could have left my second jumper and my shorts because I didn’t wear them at all, also a bag of nuts I took for snacks but didn’t end up eating. Extra things just add more weight, and no matter how small, it makes a difference.

How was your experience moving from your small hiking group back to the rest of the Sharman students? Exciting? Overwhelming?

I didn’t particularly like it, actually. I preferred being in a smaller group because I think everyone got a bit more annoying when they were with their friends. For some reason I also felt colder on the second night and my sleep was worse. It was kinda nice being with people who are likeable and who weren’t in my hiking group, I think I might’ve been in a bad mood that evening, though. I did like the food better and was grateful for the showers.

Week 5 Reflection

Mini Trail

In what ways was it successful?
When we went to the wheeler centre we were given booklets and links to things that would’ve helped us complete the project. We had a good time and went to a bookstore which was enjoyable.

What role did you take in your team?
Well, Anna is usually takes control of our team situations, but she wasn’t here for the trail so I think I took up the leadership position even though Olivia was the actual leader.

What did your team do well?
We got back on time, we knew where we were going.

What could you improve upon?
After not finding out enough information at the wheeler centre (only getting links + booklets basically) we should’ve gone somewhere else where we knew we would get information, have a plan B. Instead we just went to Embiggen Books, across the street. We had a better time that way, though.

What have you learnt from this experience that can help your group succeed in your next project?
Always have a plan b, just in case something doesn’t go according to plan.

Education Week

Do you think our current system allows for various intelligences, talents and preferences?
To an extent, I think it really depends what school you’re at. Our school has music programs and art subjects but a lot of students consider them to be less important. Students who may be exceptionally good at music or art or both, may struggle in the core subjects such as maths and english and if they were failing those two subjects and getting 100s in music and art the fact they were failing in the core subjects may be focused on because they are considered more important, when they shouldn’t be.
I read something the other day, which went something like this: Why is it that when someone isn’t good at an instrument or some type of art, they’re not talented at that particular area, but if someone is struggling with maths or something they’re considered dumb.

Critical Question – Is Melbourne Fair?

To me, this is a hard question, mainly because it’s really broad and I haven’t made up my mind on the subject as of yet. My point of view is that it is neither fair nor unfair. I am really quite in between. I think it’s also difficult because everyone has a different definition of fair. When one first looks at Melbourne they think, oh, well, its multicultural, the city of opportunity… it’s also a western society which is usually considered fair and judicial, by the majority of people. I’m just not 100% sure if that really is what counts as fair. I guess if you weren’t really thinking you could just write Melbourne off as fair but for this task I unfortunately have to delve deeper. If I compared Melbourne/Australia to other countries my answer would be a definite, yes it is fair. But when I compare it to a perfect state of equality and fairness, I’m not so sure.

I’m going to start off with the government. 18 is the age when we are considered to be mature enough to make ‘good’/’smart’ choices in our lives.
Things you can (according to my research) do when you are 18: vote, purchase alcohol, get into clubs and pubs, gamble, purchase tobacco products and purchase spray paint.
Well, this seems pretty fair, but a fifteen year old could be more responsible than an 18-year-old, so I think it really depends on the person if they are responsible for certain things.
With voting, it’s great that anyone can vote if they’re 18 or older, that’s fair, but the fact that we are forced to vote isn’t. And someone aged 46 might not be as smart as a 16-year-old, they might have different opinions and the 16 year old’s could be better. When talking about the ‘work’ our government does, when we went on trail to parliament house and we had to interview people, 100% of the people I spoke to thought our government was crap. I also thought question time was completely ridiculous. I didn’t see the point of it. The politicians weren’t getting anything out of it because all they did was avoid questions. I also don’t see how the public could be affected by it? It didn’t convince me to vote for either party, I just thought it was really stupid and a waste of time.

Nowadays we’re mostly accepting of people who aren’t Australian, when we’re talking about the government. Racism, of course, still exists in people who live here. For example once I was on the tram and someone asked me what country it was, I responded with ‘Australia’ and he said ‘well you wouldn’t know it with all these {insert racist slurs here for chinese, japanese and indian people}. It was so rude. But Racism was only just recently 95% stamped out of our government system, and it doesn’t help that there are still people who work for the government, in public service and such, who are racist, sexist, homophobic.. etc. It’s basically impossible for there to be nothing like that. Also I am really surprised that a lot of people think that Australia fully supports gay rights? Because equal marriage rights are part of that, and we don’t have that here.

Our justice system is alright. When we visited magistrates court I thought most of the cases I saw were fair, the judge would take everything into account before making a decision, and I thought it was a fairly good system. The fact that people who have committed crimes are allowed to plead guilty or not guilty, be released on bail and are provided with legal aid is very fair.

I think the biggest thing that I learnt during class was that we, as Australians are very privileged. I don’t think anyone realises how lucky we are. I feel like the majority of the people who live here take their lives for granted. It was during our activism class, I learnt that there are a lot of terrible things happening around the world that aren’t happening here and I feel like we need to be grateful for that once in a while.

When we went to the Salvos I learnt that nothing is just about where you are. Your situation depends heavily on the people you are around. A lot of people stereotype homeless people as people living on the street, begging for money. dirty. bad. stay away. not normal. not like you. That is what comes to mind most of the time when people think ‘homeless’, they define that person’s whole being as ‘homeless’. ‘They are nothing but homeless,’ they think, ‘why don’t they just get off their lazy asses and get a job.’ This is really unfair, there are many different types of homelessness and trust me, if they could get a job they would. People never think about what could’ve led to their homelessness. ‘They are not human beings, they are homeless people.’ It’s terrible and saddening and ugh. There are many homeless people in Melbourne and I think the government needs to focus on that more than they are, because they tend to focus on being better than the opposition, not fixing problems, they focus on one thing and leave everything else. It’s very unfair.

So, in conclusion, I still have no idea whether Melbourne is fair or not. I’d say it is in some respects, and not in others.

Is it hard to be healthy in Melbourne?

I dont think its hard to be healthy in Melbourne. It’s actually pretty easy as long as you put in a bit of effort. You cant just sit on your ass and expect for everything to be fine. I think the main part of it is that people think that their health wont deteriorate if they do nothing. Some people really struggle with doing things like small amounts of exercise every day and eating healthy but its not Melbourne’s fault.

In Melbourne we have a fair amount of parks that one can go to for a walk or run, with fresh air and facilities such as courts for playing different sports. (that rhymes) Also there are so so many bike paths and specified places for bikes to go on roads. Riding a bike is a really good form of exercise and a great form of transport.
We have quite a lot of gyms and swimming pools and classes for getting fit and healthy. My apartment building has a gym and pool that we can use for free, it definitely makes up for the fact that I dont have a backyard to run around in. We have such a wide range of options and opportunities in Melbourne and a lot of people dont grasp these opportunities with two hands and jump on the being healthy bandwagon. We do have a high obesity rate in Australia but we have a lot of people and I think that western societies have higher rates naturally.

We have a good public transport in system in Melbourne and I think that really helps. Some people may think that they live too far away from anywhere to exercise or from places to get healthy food but in reality they’re just not trying hard enough. Just get on a tram or train because being healthy is very important. Go to a park, go to the market, go to the gym. There are plenty of options. We’re actually really lucky in Melbourne. Mental health is important too, in Melbourne a lot of people are really friendly and we have a lot of opportunities to socialise, while on the tram, talking to shop assistants, etc.

We have quite a lot of fast food outlets, and I think that’s a problem. They’re everywhere, cheap and sell food that we, as human beings, crave. An example is pie face, I see that damn store every where. On trails, while out walking in the city, but then again I really love pie and they have cute little faces on them and sometimes I just cant resist. Pie Face is pretty expensive, though, and so is Starbucks which I go to all the time for a coffee fix. It’s really bad because it eats up all your money which you could spend on other, more important/healthy things. Luckily, there are a lot of stores that I see that do actually sell cheap and healthy food. You just have to take that step and choose sushi over pie.

On our trail we did the 1000 steps, it was easily accessable by train and it was such a good way to get fit and/or test your fitness level. I could just imagine doing that every day, it would be so beneficial.

In conclusion I believe it isnt hard to be healthy in Melbourne. Yay!