Students explore healthy living

Forty students from Sacred Heart Primary School in Fitzroy participated in ACU Discovery Day hosted by ACU Engagement at the St Patrick’s Campus on Monday, 25 November 2019.  Based on the theme, ‘healthy living’, students took part in both a science and art activity.

The science activity, led by ACU Lecturer, Tanya Uerbergang, saw students simulate the digestive system process using mashed up food, cups and stockings.  The students then participated in an art session offered by staff from Multicultural Arts Victoria, who unleashed the students' creativity in encouraging them to paint images of themselves made up of different fruits and vegetables.

Following the day, all Melbourne staff were invited to vote on their favourite pieces of art, which were displayed in an exhibition in the Mary Glowery building. Students, parents, teachers and volunteers were invited to attend the ACU Discovery Day Awards Presentation at St Patrick’s campus on Monday, 2 December, where prizes and certificates were given to the student participants. It was heart-warming to see the children proudly showing their pictures to their parents with excitement.

ACU Discovery Day was kindly funded through a grant from the City of Yarra – it was borne from community discussions which identified a need to support these children, who are primarily from refugee and migrant backgrounds and of low socioeconomic status, to connect within the City of Yarra networks and become involved in opportunities that foster aspirational thinking.

Of course, the day would not be possible without the generous volunteer support from ACU staff. We are very grateful for the ten staff volunteers who assisted on the day from various departments.  Thank you for all of your support.

Above: Tanya Uerbergang involves the students in a creative simulation on the digestive system.

Above: Staff members Caroline Field, David Luke, Maddy Carlucci assisting the students.

Above: David Luke working with students to create their artistic works.