Humanities News
By Jayne Carrigg - Faculty Leader: Humanities
As Term 2 draws to a close, I want to pause and give thanks to all the dedicated Humanities teachers at the College who have worked to create engaging and meaningful teaching and learning experiences for our students. Our students have been provided with a variety of learning experiences in their Humanities classes which have sought to bring the key knowledge and key skills to life.
Unit 2 Legal Studies
In particular, the two Unit 2 Legal Studies classes were able to travel to Melbourne and participate in the Melbourne Magistrates Court program. This program provides students with a firsthand experience of the courts, enabling them to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world situations. Here is a student reflection on the excursion:
By Imogen - Year 11
On Wednesday 3 June 2026 we were able to go to the Melbourne Magistrates Court with all the other legal studies students. At the court, we met with the Chief Magistrate and learnt about his job and what happens in the Magistrates Court. After speaking to him, we were able to go into various courtrooms and listen to warrant applications, committal mentions, intensive case management, and a range of other cases/lists/applications. It was eye-opening being able to see the court operate in real time.
Unit 4 Legal Studies
Our Unit 4 Legal Studies classes were invited to St Patrick’s College Ballarat on Wednesday 10 June 2026 to hear the Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny and Member for Wendouree Julianna Addison MP speak about legal matters. The Attorney-General spoke about the Allen government’s review of the Sentencing Act and why this is necessary. She also spoke about the issue of youth crime and what is being done to address this.
The Attorney-General encouraged students to consider Legal Studies as a future career pathway and discussed the variety of opportunities it provides. Julianna Addison spoke to the students about the RESPECT Ballarat initiative and the importance of students learning about the law in becoming informed citizens. Students were also given the opportunity to ask questions to both members of parliament.
It was an informative and thought-provoking morning of discussion, and we thank Mr James Couzens from St Patrick’s College for the invitation to attend.
By Jordi - Year 12
On Wednesday 10 June, Year 12 VCE Legal Studies students got the opportunity to talk to Victoria's Attorney General, Sonya Kilkenny and MP for Wendouree, Juliana Addison. We all found this experience thoroughly enjoyable and it enabled us to deepen our understanding of how legal and political institutions operate beyond the classroom textbooks. Being able to ask questions and hear real-life experiences gave us firsthand insight into how government and decision-making works in the day-to-day life, particularly helping with our current study of, ‘The people and lawmakers’.
