HUMANITIES

LAW WEEK Q&A FOR VCE LEGAL STUDIES 

Victorian Law Week provides an opportunity for the community to engage with and learn about the law. Recently, VCE Legal Studies students at our school participated in a Q&A session with two legal practitioners: Mr. Rahmin de Kretser, a barrister specialising in criminal defense, and Ms. Morgan Smithe, an employment lawyer and former student of Mrs Masterson (Graduated from McKinnon, Class of 2012). 

The students actively engaged with the guest speakers, asking a variety of questions. Rahmin and Morgan shared their personal experiences and insights, guiding students on pathways to a career in law, discussing the benefits and challenges of this important profession, and providing a deeper understanding of the different roles that legal practitioners play in everyday life.

Angela Masterson

VCE Legal Studies Teacher 

Personally, attending the Q&A presentation was both entertaining and informative. I was able to gain many insights into the profound impacts a law career has on both professional and personal life. I was introduced to a lucrative yet challenging career that tests a person’s time management skills, attention to detail, and critical thinking. Although these skills and the demanding nature of a career in law can appear frightening, I was assured and supported by the guest speaker through their honest advice and anecdotes, and in turn, I was able to connect and learn a lot about the law.

Harry Pham, Year 12

It was a really unique opportunity to hear from real lawyers about their experience throughout both the brutal VCE period we're all currently going through, and on what it's like to work within the law. We all gained valuable insight on pathways to pursuing law, and I found it interesting to hear about how the university experience differs from high school, especially from Morgan's  perspective as she graduated from Mckinnon

Lynya Fu, Year 12

I found the lecture very helpful in terms of the process of becoming a lawyer and how the career actually is. It gave me an insight into what being a lawyer actually looks like. The lecture also helped shape my understanding of what kind of lawyer I want to be

Ana Dapurkar, Year 10

I found the lecture pretty helpful, especially when they spoke to us about their own pathways in uni or outside of uni. For instance work experience, I liked hearing how they both had a different path and that there are ways into law that don't require a high ATAR.. I left the talk feeling more motivated about my own goals. They made it seem achievable.

Isabella Petroulis, Year 11

I found the lecture very enjoyable, as I learned a lot about the legal system and what day-to-day looks like when you work as a criminal lawyer. Overall, it was rather interesting and it gave me insight into which part of the legal field i would prefer to work in when it comes to a future job.

Summer Thompson, Year 11

Morgan Smithe and Rahmin de Kretser were very considerate to come to McKinnon SC and talk to the legal students! The lecture left me feeling very passionate and inspired to continue studying hard for legal and maybe even pursuing a future career in that field. I learnt a lot about the real life application of what we learned in class regarding criminal and civil law. As well as that, I learned how important and hard working lawyers are in protecting society and achieving justice.

Malishka Gulrajani, Year 12

I really enjoyed hearing from Morgan Smithe and Rahmin Dekretser about their careers in law. It was fascinating to learn what a barrister in criminal law does compared to an employment lawyer. They explained the kinds of cases they deal with, how they got into the legal field, and the challenges and rewards of their work. They also spoke about their pathways into the legal field and how there are lots of different ways to get into law, even if you don’t get the ATAR you were aiming for. I found that really encouraging. It was great to hear that the legal profession is so varied and accessible, with so many options to explore.

Mia Cashmore, Year 12

Hearing from Morgan Smithe (an ex-McKinnon student, Class of 2012) and Rahmin Dekrester, a criminal barrister, as they discussed their lives and involvement in the Victorian justice system, has made me even more eager to explore the field of law. Both guest speakers spoke passionately about their work in achieving justice, whether in employment law or within the criminal justice system.

Having just finished our civil law unit, and after hearing from Morgan, I feel even more inspired about exploring that area of law. The Q&A session really helped me see how what we are learning in Units 3 & 4 can be applied to real-life scenarios and the potential for a career in law.

Thank you to Mrs Masterson for arranging this amazing opportunity!

Jessica Krivulin, Year 12

YEAR 10 CRIMINAL LAW MOCK COURT EXCURSION

On Friday, May 16th, we took part in a mock court trial at the Old Magistrates Court, which is part of the Old Melbourne Gaol. It was a hands-on way to learn about the legal system, as we acted out a court case based on a real story about a person charged with culpable driving.

Before the visit, we were each given roles to play, such as judge, lawyer, witness, accused, and public. When we arrived at the court, we were given scripts to help us understand what to say and do during the case. This made it easier for everyone to take part and follow the court process.

The Old Magistrates Court is an important place in Victoria’s history. It was once used for court hearings, including cases involving well-known criminals like Ned Kelly and Frederick Bailey Deeming. Being in the same courtroom where these people once stood made the experience feel more real and meaningful.

Overall, the mock court was a fun and interesting way to learn how the justice system works. It also gave us a better understanding of how serious crimes like culpable driving are handled in court, and helped us see the history behind the Old Magistrates Court.

Milla Edwards and Maliah Murphy

Year 10 Students