WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING (3 of 3)
CANBERRA LEGAL STUDIES TRIP
BY ELIJAH HALLIDAY (SECONDARY TEACHER)
Students from our school have recently undertaken an education tour of the national capital in our biennial VCE Legal Studies trip to Canberra. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage, and democracy.
Our adventure commenced at 6:30am as we boarded the buses for the long drive north to Canberra. After a few stops to stretch our legs and refuel, including at the iconic Holbrook submarine, we reached our accommodation by early evening. We capped off the travel day with a night walk to the Australian War Memorial.
Thursday was an action-packed introduction to the heart of the Australian government. Our morning began at Parliament House, where students explored the foundations of our democracy and discovered that the flag flying above the building is actually the size of half a tennis court!
The group then visited Government House, the official residence of the Governor-General. Beyond the stunning grounds, students were eager to learn about the unique responsibilities of the role, and Ruby and Molly had the honour of signing the official guest book. Following a walk along ANZAC Parade to commemorate the service and sacrifice of our veterans, we explored the National Archives and took in the panoramic views from the Mount Ainslie lookout. To celebrate a successful day, we finished the night with a fun time at glow in the dark mini golf.
Friday’s visits focused on a number of other national institutions. At the Royal Australian Mint, we went behind the scenes of decimal currency and coin production. This was followed by a visit to the Museum of Australian Democracy, where students considered the vital role of press freedom and media history.
A significant highlight was sitting in the High Court of Australia, specifically in the courtroom where the landmark Mabo decision was handed down. After a session on the electoral process at the National Electoral Education Centre (NEEC), we concluded our formal itinerary at the Australian War Memorial. It was a moving experience to participate in the Last Post ceremony, where Ella P and Keeley laid a wreath on behalf of the school.
We made our way back on Saturday, tired but full of new insights. A massive thank you to our students for being such excellent representatives of our school community. We also extend our gratitude to Miss Wearing, Mr Halliday, and especially Mr Kelly for his tireless work behind the wheel as our bus driver.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding to Belgrave Heights Christian School in the amount of $45 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.
