Humanities News

Year 11 Legal Excursion to the District and Supreme Court

by Darcy Mahoney - Year 11

On Friday 24 April 2026, the Year 11 Legal Studies class travelled to the District and Supreme Courts of Queensland. The excursion provided significant practical context for the Term 2 assignment on 'sentencing' while offering a valuable opportunity for the boys to gain some familiarity with the judicial roles that exist in the court. With the majority of the class considering careers in law - and a significant number aspiring to become barristers - it's safe to say that this exposure to the court system and key figures was an invaluable experience. 

Upon arrival, the class was met by His Honour Judge Jarro and his Associate, who addressed questions regarding recent law topics, the operations of the court and their own professional journeys. The students were given a brief orientation of the courtroom and jury room before attending the first proceedings for the day.

The morning was spent observing various proceedings. The boys attended two sentencing hearings, providing background for the assignment. Additionally, the class sat in on a high-profile murder trial. While pushing the boundaries of their concentration, the trial shed light on the rigorous scrutiny that is often vital for the strategy of the prosecution and the defence.

Following a brief lunch break, the class regathered at the Supreme Court Library and was introduced to the library's catalogue, which will serve as a primary resource in their upcoming assignments.

The day was concluded with a bus trip back to school. The observations from this experience have made themselves highly beneficial in the classes career considerations and will prove highly relevant as the class begins their legal inquiry report this term.