Year 6 Spotlight
Canberra Camp! What a wonderful week!
Our days were jam packed with amazing experiences.
Day 1
After flying to Canberra we jumped straight on the buses and went to the Royal Mint where we learnt all about the Australian currency. We then headed to the Australian Institute of Sport. A jam packed day with a lot of adrenaline fuelled joy!
Day 2
An amazing and busy day! We had an early wake up and went straight to Questacon. We watched science experiments, lightning strikes, experienced earthquake simulations and more! Then the National Gallery, the Portrait Gallery, Government House and to put a full stop to the day, we went rock climbing in the evening.
Day 3
Today we went to Mt Ainslie Lookout, the National Capital Exhibition where we learned all about the design of our capital city, as well as the unsung heroes involved in its design process. We then went to the Electoral Centre and learnt all about preferential voting. In the afternoon we visited the Geoscience Education Centre where a lot of potential future geologists were very inspired. We also touched a piece of the moon! In the afternoon we went to the park and we wish you could have seen the Year 6s sprinting to go down the big slide!
Day 4
Parliament House! The students were so impressed by the design of the building and, because they were such a lovely group, they were invited to visit places that school groups normally aren’t invited to see! We role-played passing a bill and some students got to act in some very important roles! As our last activity we visited the War Memorial where we learnt about our defence history and paid our respects to the troops who fought for our country.
Day 5
A bright and early start and on the bus to see our loved ones! The students were excited to see their families. One student was overheard saying, ‘I can’t wait to see my pets!’
PACER Rebate
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 of $45 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate Program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.
Student Reflections
We loved our time at camp! See some of our thoughts below!
One of the funniest moments for me was how at meal times, the kids started putting their hands up as soon as they sat down. We all wanted to eat first! ~ Will S, 6C
A learning moment for me was doing a role-play at Parliament House and learning how to pass a bill. I got to be the Minister for Communications and Rachel was the Prime Minister. ~ Lynette Z, 6C
One of the most amazing experiences for me was when we went to Geoscience. They had a piece of the moon that we could actually touch! I couldn’t believe that I had the opportunity to touch something from outer space and then I also could believe what it looked and felt like. I had always imagined the moon to be grey, but it was actually… black! ~ Oscar L, 6C
I was amazed at the design of Canberra. The model at the National Capital Exhibition was so amazing. ~ Millie LB, 6C
I learnt that I am a lot messier than I thought I was. I need my parents to remind me more than I thought I did! ~ Emily J, 6C
Some of the highlights for me were; the Australian Institute of Sport when I played on the kayaking simulation and at Questacon there was an amazing spinning machine. ~ Abi S, 6C
A powerful learning moment for me was learning how to vote and about how Canberra was designed. I had such a great time at camp! ~ Piper S, 6A
My most challenging moment was the rock climbing because I don’t really like it and I have a small fear of heights, but I still gave it a go and made it halfway. ~ Zoe B, 6A
I think I completed my camp goal because I didn’t get home sick and I was pretty organised, although my suitcase was a bit messy at times. I was also very independent and socialised with lots of different people. ~ Isabel L, 6A
I was unsure about a few things on camp, however in the end, I love it and I learnt a lot more about myself and others. I had a really fantastic camp experience. ~ Mathilda L, 6A
All of the activities were really fun, especially the Telstra Tower, rock climbing and Parliament House, where I rolled down Parliament Hill, TWICE! ~ Elliot AK, 6A
I particularly enjoyed Parliament House, in particular the role play, as I had the role of speaker, which was awesome as I love public speaking. This was my biggest learning moment, as I didn’t know much about how the House of Representatives and Senate worked. ~ Eloise B, 6A
~ Year 6 Teachers and Students