Towards the end of last term, 13 Year 11 & 12 students attended a trip to Canberra, along with one of the Year 11 Legal Studies teacher’s Mr Sam Papadopoulos and myself.
The aim of the trip was to gain a better insight into the structure and function of our system of Government at the Federal level and also the role of the High Court in interpreting the Constitution. However, our visit was not only Legal and Political based. We wanted to give the students access to different places of interest in Canberra.
When we arrived in Canberra, it was important to explore our surroundings and become familiar with the city of Canberra. Where we were staying, where we were having breakfast and most importantly where the bus stop was, as that was our main mode of transportation.
That afternoon we visited Anzac Parade. The students were in awe of the monuments that have been built along Anzac Parade and are dedicated to Australian soldiers who have fought in a number of wars. They read the information on each of the monuments and studied the detail of the statues and how life like they were. Later in the afternoon, we made our way from Anzac Parade up to the Australian War Memorial. Students were surprised to hear that the displays in the museum were actual pieces of equipment, medals, uniforms and planes that have been used in past wars and that some have been donated by families to the museum. We were present for the Last Post ceremony. This occurs every afternoon just before the Memorial closes. The story of a soldier who has died in a past war is read and there is a wreath laying ceremony. Chloe B and Cameron M volunteered to lay a wreath each on behalf of the school.
Chloe’s thoughts on laying the wreath ‘Laying the wreath at the ANZAC ceremony alongside some highly respected people was an honourable experience to get to represent the school in such a special and important way.’
While Cameron commented: “I was very honoured to lay the Wreath and pay my respect to those past and present service members of our armed forces”
On Thursday and Friday we visited both the old and new Parliament House. At both these locations the students took part in role plays. At Parliament House, the students impressed both Mr Papadopoulos and myself as they chose to role play debating a Bill in the Senate (upper house of Parliament) where they decided on their own issue, they did not take up the suggestions of our facilitator. The students wanted to debate a Bill in expanding our trade to other nations and not relying only on China.
At old Parliament House, the students learnt some history as they re-enacted The Dismissal of the Whitlam Government, 1975.
However, the trip was not only Legal Studies based, we had some rest and relaxation. Students were given a guided tour of a glass blowing factory where students had a hands on experience in creating their own glass tile. Also, their competitive sides came out when we had a night our bowling.
Overall, it was an enjoyable three days. It was lovely to observe the students enjoying their time in Canberra, taking in the sites, navigating their way around Canberra, and at the same time increasing their knowledge of our Legal and Political System and key historical events in Australia’s past.
Chrisoula Argyropoulos
Head of Humanities
