Year 6 Melbourne & Canberra Trip

In seven weeks’ time our Year 6 students and staff will be winging our way to the mainland as we embark on an exploration of Canberra and Melbourne.  As you can appreciate the excitement levels are building in both 6 Navy and 6 White. 

Two of the main units studied in Semester Two are Making a Nation and Calling Australia Home.  In the first unit Making a Nation there is a focus on how we as a nation federated and became one unified country, how democracy works in all levels of government, as well as how our legal system operates. 

We consider the arguments put forward by both sides in deciding on whether we needed to federate.  We explore the ideas around the reasons why people felt so passionate about their cause and why eventually the “YES’ campaign won.  A timeline to Federation is highlighted, how the Westminster system influenced our governance and the processes of writing the Australian Constitution are focused on.  It is also a unit that looks at the three levels of government and how through the democratic process of elections we have a say in the future of the country.

In our second unit known as Calling Australia Home there is a significant focus on the establishment of multicultural roots through pre and post war migration and what richness and diversity our migrants bring to our country.  It is often a chance to look back at our own ancestral heritage and tease it out and see how our own families become part of the fabric of this nation. 

So the natural thing to do, given the Semester Two teaching is to visit the home of our Federal Parliament – Canberra and the home of multicultural Australia – Melbourne to ensure we are completely immersed.   Heading to Canberra first, we use our knowledge gathered to explore the sights and sounds of what makes Canberra tick and how our parliamentary system, devised by our forefathers at the time of Federation, is regarded as one of the best in the world.  On the Friday we then head to the ‘Hub of Multicultural Australia’ – Melbourne where we wander the streets of visiting China Town, Victoria Markets and the Immigration Museum, soaking up the smells and atmosphere of this city. 

As well as this focus on government we will extend our knowledge of STEAM as we participate in work organised by the Ian Potter Foundation, engross ourselves in great art by walking through the National Gallery and develop an understanding of how our monetary system works by going on a guided tour of the Royal Australian Mint.  On top of all of this it will be a visit to the AIS for a tour and a swim, a night walk around The Royal Botanical Gardens and a visit to Floriade to complete our wonderful journey.  As you can see it is a ‘camp’ that all staff and students want to attend.

So stay tuned as we start to give you updates about what is being focus on in class with a few students contributing throughout the coming weeks and then a complete summation of events and photos on our return. 

Miss Melanie Sluyters and Mr Dave Wierenga

Year 6 Classroom Teachers