Year 8 City Cite

City Cite gave our Year 8 students a memorable two-week journey into the heart of Melbourne. Designed to be both immersive and challenging, the program encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones, engage with the city in new ways, and think deeply about the values that shape community life.

Across the fortnight, students explored themes of empathy, responsibility, trust, compassion, and open-mindedness through research, discussion and also, practice. Working together and reflecting individually, they were prompted to consider how these values influence both their daily interactions and the broader life of our city.

The program culminated in presentations: individual monologues capturing personal insights, and collaborative research projects highlighting key aspects of Melbourne life. Monologues shared by Eleni Z and Angela S (8B) showcased just how thoughtfully the students engaged with the experience.

I would like to thank the Senior Leadership Team, administrative and teaching staff, and the parents of our Year 8 students, for all their support of the City Cite program.

Eleni Z - Year 8

I have learnt so much from my City Cite Journey ….  

I was given the project manager role for my team and this was such a scary but rewarding opportunity to learn how to manage a project, allocate work and negotiate…. I learnt that communication is so important and that things don’t always go as planned so I needed to be able to adapt.  I tried  to think about how others work, what their strengths are and to always check that everyone was on track and understanding the task.  Although I am not a pro at being a manager, the 2 weeks I’ve spent managing my group, even when I wanted to give up, will for sure be a skill that will come to good use in the future and an experience that I will always remember.  

I got to know each of my team members much better, as well as areas they excel in, making sure to give them jobs that I know they’ll do well in.  I’ve learned who others work well with, and how they operate in a group with others they may have never worked with before.

I also know more about leadership, and what it means to be a leader. You can’t just be bossy, you need to be much more. You have to be patient and understanding, able to compromise, you also need to know how to make sure everyone in your group is contributing, and feeling valued.  Initially I was  a little frustrated about having to revisit decisions that we had already made but now I can see that it's important that all the team could share their views and that debating those made us stronger.

I thought I was grateful before but after listening to all the speakers I realised much more how grateful and lucky I am to have the stability of my family, not needing to worry about when I might eat next, or where I might sleep. I’m grateful for my school, I’ve spent more time there than at my own home. I’ve been at Sacre Coeur since I was five and I couldn’t be happier. Others may have to move schools because they are unhappy and struggling to find a school where they feel a sense of belonging, or they can't afford to have an education. I’m grateful that I knew, ever since I entered the school for the first time, Sacre Coeur was my home.

I used to think that Cite Cite was about researching something in a group, getting to know the City and eating good food... But now I know that it is much more…. Cite Cite is about friendship, trust, personal growth and life skills. I also know now that you can’t kick back and relax on the second last day of City Cite, because they might drop a bombshell on you and make you write a monologue.

I want to thank my group members for believing in me, that I could be the manager and lead the group in the making of this project. It's been challenging, to say the least. As a group, we’ve had our moments. Our disagreements, but in the end, we all worked it out one way or another. So thank you, Zoe, Asher, Sophia, Lizzie and Sophie for being such amazing group members and giving it your all. Lastly, a very big thank you to Noah and the other teachers that have come along on Cite Cite, you have made this experience a memory that I’ll keep with me forever. Thank you.

Angela S - Year 8

City Cite was a brilliant and meaningful experience for me. I learnt so much and gained a deeper understanding of homelessness. Through a range of activities, I received many valuable insights, but the most impactful moment was in the Big Issue classroom. It was the first time I had listened to someone share their personal experience with homelessness, and it left a lasting impression on me.

I came to understand how society often works against people with disabilities and how difficult it is for them to find employment. Even securing a basic job can be a huge challenge. I realised that this community can be unfair to those who, through no fault of their own, need support and assistance.

While many of us live comfortable and secure lives, there are countless people who are struggling just to survive. Some don’t have a safe place to sleep at night and go to bed dreaming of a meal. Homelessness is rarely a choice — it’s usually the result of multiple complex factors. Escaping that cycle can be incredibly difficult.

Realising all this made me see the importance of helping those at risk or currently experiencing homelessness. Before this, I mostly focused on myself and the people close to me. But now, I feel a strong desire to give back — I would like to donate to charities that support homeless people and raise awareness where I can.

City Cite has made me more curious and more compassionate. It opened my eyes to the deeper issues within our society and helped me see the struggles that others face every day. This experience wasn’t just an opportunity — it was a turning point that changed how I view the world.

I’ve also become much more grateful. I appreciate having access to education, being able to eat and drink without worrying about the cost, and having a warm home and a cosy bedroom to return to. I'm thankful for the support I receive from those around me. Sadly, many individuals experiencing homelessness go without these basic essentials. They worry constantly about basic needs and often live without the stability that many of us take for granted.

I used to believe that homelessness was a result of people not working hard enough, but now I understand — no one wants to be homeless. Most of the time, they simply don’t have any other options.

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