Mitchat - Term 1 Week 4 Friday 24th February

Democracy is a process, not a static condition, it is becoming, rather than being. It can be easily lost, but is never finally won.

William H. Hastie 1904-1976

I have felt incredibly lucky to have been able to spend the last 5 days with our level 5 and 6 students and teachers exploring our nation’s capital Canberra.

I am thrilled to share with you a brief recount. Our trip has been an amazing experience for everyone involved, with the opportunity to visit some of Australia's most important landmarks and institutions.

We visited both old and new Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy and the Electoral Education Centre. Our students were able to experience the political process first hand and learn about the history and significance of the Australian government. Our knowledgeable guides provided us with valuable insights into the history and workings of Parliament and answered all of our students' questions.

At the Australian War Memorial, we paid our respects to the brave soldiers who fought for our country. We also explored some of the museum's collection of military artifacts and learned about Australia's involvement in various wars and conflicts. It was a sombre yet enlightening experience for everyone.

The Mint was a real highlight for so many of our students, we were able to explore the history of Australian currency, learn how the term ‘pieces of eight’ evolved and see some of Australia’s rarest coins on display. Students enjoyed learning about the various currencies used in Australia throughout history, including the gold rush era, and how coins have evolved over time.

Also, on our itinerary was the National Gallery of Australia, where we were able to appreciate the beautiful art collections on display, spending most of our time enjoying the ‘Art Ways of Learning’ program, which brought together the voices of our Indigenous communities through art. We eagerly admired the unique and diverse works of art from Australian artists and beyond.

During our visit to the Australian Institute of Sport we were impressed by the world-class facilities and inspired by the opportunity to learn more about some of Australia's elite athletes, their training and life as professional athletes. We had the opportunity to try wheelchair basketball, virtual downhill skiing and rock climbing.

Our last full day in Canberra included a visit to Questacon. Questacon is the National Science and Technology Centre of Australia and offers a range of interactive exhibits that engage and inspire. MPS students had an amazing time exploring the different galleries and participating in hands-on activities that helped them learn about various scientific phenomena, including electricity, sound, and light.

Overall, the trip was an outstanding educational and enriching experience for all involved. Our students had the chance to learn about Australian history, culture, and government, as well as appreciate the arts, science and sports. I am so grateful to our brilliant students who behaved exceptionally and to the extraordinarily hard-working staff rose each morning at 6am and did not rest again until every student was tucked in and sound asleep, thank you also for the support of our school community in making this excursion possible and look forward to planning more exciting educational adventures in the future.

Onsite at Mitcham Primary School it has been incredibly busy also. Thank you to all the parents who attended the parent Helper Training session on Wednesday afternoon, Ashlee Holzer and Val Berardini were so pleased with the turn out and also with the number of parents who have already contacted the school office to request access to the recording, we cannot wait to see you all helping in the classrooms, at our sporting events and on excursions.

The last of our open classrooms and parent information afternoons was also held this week, Prep on Wednesday afternoon. Thank you to all the parents who attended this week and last week, we really hope you enjoyed coming into your children’s classrooms, gaining a sense of what they have been up to so far this term and having an opportunity to meet and ask questions of the teachers. Please remember to use Compass to email your children’s teachers if you have any other questions or concerns.

Wishing all families, a terrific weekend and a restful one for our campers!

Warmly,

Erin

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