Grade 6A Excursion 

As part of our Inquiry this term the Grade 6 students travelled to Parliament House, Old Treasury Building and Captain Cooks Cottage.   Students were part of a tour where they observed a law being debated in the Legislative Council and heard stories about the rich history and heritage of the iconic Parliament House and Old Treasury building.   Students gained many insights into the democratic processes that shape our everyday lives. 

Students then walked to Captain Cook’s cottage and had lunch in the Fitzroy Garden.  Below are their reflections on the excursion.

Grade 6A Student Reflections:

The most memorable part of the excursion was when we went to Parliament and watched a bill being discussed in the Legislative Council.  The Legislative Council is red because it was a symbol of wealth and prestige because of the expensive red dye that was used.  I wish we could have spent more time at Parliament House.  Johnson

There were gold bars underneath the glass floor at the Old Treasury Building.  The numbers 9,999 were printed on the gold bars. Long ago, women didn’t vote, it was not fair for them. The excursion was really fun and worth the 40 minute ride on the bus.  Domenik 

The most memorable part was when we went to Parliament and the building was really beautiful.  I learnt that back in the olden days people used to scrape the gold from the walls with their finger nails so they had to check everyone.  I also loved the Fitzroy Gardens where it smelt so good.  LJ 

The Conservatory was really cool.  The plants in there were really unique. I learnt that the furniture like the chairs and tables were just as old as the building. The excursion was the best! Alysha

My most memorable part of the excursion was the biggest gold nugget which was at the Old Treasury Building. The detail on the ceiling at Parliament was coated in gold and it is worth $7 million. I learnt that the colour red in the Legislative Council room came from parts of a beetle. Billy 

I liked walking to Captain Cook’s Cottage through the Fitzroy Gardens. I loved looking at the gold nugget called ‘The Welcome Stranger’ at the Old Treasury Building. It was a fun excursion. James 

I liked the Old Treasury Building.  It was so interesting and mind blowing that probably billions of people saw and walked through it.  I found out that women couldn’t participate in making a law long ago.  It wasn’t fair at all for girls in the 1900’s and I am glad to be born in 2014. I also loved Captain Cook’s Cottage.  I can’t believe it’s more than 200 years old.  Mya 

The best part was going into the ‘Legislative Council’ chambers where the politicians were discussing the passing of a bill.  I learnt about the process of passing a bill or law.  I loved going into the Governors Board Room which had very comfy leather chairs and a large table.  Nidal 

The most memorable part of the excursion was when we were watching the politicians trying to pass a bill.  I was very interested when we went into the garden. I learnt that Captain Cook’s Cottage was moved from England to Australia and there was $7 million worth of gold on the ceiling and walls of the Victorian Parliament building.  The excursion was fun and I learnt some very interesting things.  Galy

I liked watching the Upper House making a law/bill.  I liked playing with the wooden skittles at Captain Cook’s Cottage. I learnt that in the olden days they used a beetle to make the colour red. It was a really good day for me. I really liked it and I had lots of fun.  Artemis. 

The most memorable part of the excursion was the Victorian Parliament and also in the Legislative Assembly where we got to sit on the green Ministers chairs.  I learnt that the miners needed a license to mine for gold.  The excursion was so much fun!  Faiq 

The most memorable part was when we went into Parliament and watched the Ministers discussing a bill. I learnt that in the Governor’s Board Room is where they discuss the new law and the Governor gives it Royal Assent (stamps the law). There is $7 million worth of gold on the ceiling of Parliament House.  Lee-Ayzon

I really liked visiting Captain Cook’s Cottage. There was a quiz to do while we were in the cottage.  There were old style games like Skittles and Ring Toss.  I learnt that red was a very expensive colour in the olden days because it was hard to find red dye. People had to crush up specific bugs to make the colour red.  In Parliament House there were angels everywhere on the ceiling.  Felice. 

At the Old Treasury Building we learnt about the gold rush in Victoria in 1851.  My favourite part was the Old Treasury Building where there were gold bars on the floor.  I learnt that when the gold rush was on Melbourne was getting bigger and bigger every day.  I liked looking at the thin layers of gold on the ceiling at Parliament.  Stavros

The most memorable part of the excursion was seeing all the gold and learning about how it was discovered over the years. The ‘Welcome Stranger’ gold nugget was huge.  I learnt that the Legislative Council represents royalty. Back in the 1500- 1600 red dye was very hard to get and it was made from a beetle.  Jesse

The most memorable part of the excursion was Parliament House which was very interesting however I wish we could have stayed longer.  I learnt that Captain Cook used the Endeavour to sail to Australia.  Jessica. 

The most memorable part of the excursion was going to Fitzroy Gardens because my parents had their wedding photos taken there. Also watching the politicians passing a bill.  I learnt that the rosette on the ceiling of Parliament meant that you knew someone in the royal family.  Imogen. 

The most memorable part for me was when we saw the politicians presenting a bill in Parliament.  I learnt that the Legislative Council is red because red symbolises money and power and it was very expensive to make the colour red. The green colour in the Legislative Assembly was for the grass around the hills where people would assemble in ancient times.  Andy

The most memorable part was when we looked through glass and underneath were hundreds of gold bars.  I learnt that John Clark was a very young talented architect, and he designed the Old Treasury Building.  The excursion was fun overall and Cook’s Cottage was very interesting to look at.  Stephen