In & Out of the Classroom

Construction Mathematics

Year 9-10 Construction Mathematic students have been creating scale models this week. Take a look at their handy work!

‘Law and Order’ Elective Excursion to the Supreme Court

Alison Haddon-Cave

What better way to learn about law and order than going to Tasmania’s Supreme Court in Salamanca? And this is exactly what Mrs Haddon-Cave did, in a legal and orderly fashion!

Upon arrival outside of the Supreme Court on 21 September, we were met and welcomed by Ms Elise Histed the Court’s Research & Communications Officer, who promptly took us to see the holding cells where accused persons are held before their trials start. Prisoners are brought in from jails such as Risdon and we were privy to the inner workings of how they are treated upon arrival, including the procedures for un-loading, and guarding them by the Court security officers. 

Treading in their footsteps, we were then led up to the main court rooms, as if we were on trial ourselves, ending up in court, where we sat in on an interesting, albeit unsavoury trial about an assault. Here we listened to three witnesses being ‘examined in chief’, ‘cross-examined’ and ‘re-examined’. With a full jury present, a defendant and all the court and legal officers in position, it was almost a little surreal to view this in person and not on television.

In the afternoon, we learnt more about the jury’s role in a criminal trial, understanding more about one’s civic responsibilities and duties. 

The excursion ended with a tour by a senior court officer of the jury room and the other part of the Supreme Court, initially planned for civil trials. He further showed us an extensive wall of the prominent and key figures in Tasmania’s legal history.

A rewarding and fulfilling day, that has hopefully inspired some to consider the legal profession as a future career.