Canberra Excursion

Learning through Storytelling 

Our Visit to AIATSIS and the Museum of Australia

Recently, our group travelled to Canberra for an educational visit to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and the Museum of Australia. At AIATSIS, we engaged with the art of storytelling as a powerful way to share history and culture. Through compelling photographs and stories, we explored significant themes such as civil rights campaigns—including the Freedom Rides and the Tent Embassy—celebrations of Black excellence, and the lived experiences on missions and reserves.

Our visit to the Museum of Australia offered valuable insights into the struggles and triumphs related to the rights and freedoms of Aboriginal peoples. A highlight was meeting a First Nations woman who shared her personal journey as a member of the Stolen Generations. The many artefacts and exhibits we viewed deepened our appreciation of this shared history.

This experience has broadened our perspectives and deepened our commitment to understanding and respecting the rich heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples."

Ms Paige Hilton

HSIE Teacher

Stage 6 Arts and Culture Tour - Visual Arts

Stage 6 Visual Arts students enjoyed exploring Canberra's Arts Precinct on Wednesday. We started with a walk through the sculpture garden before making our way to the National Gallery of Art. Students engaged with a range of artworks to develop their critical analysis skills to investigate how artist use visual mediums to tell stories of Australian culture.

 Highlights included the National Indigenous Art Triennial and Lindy Lee's 'Ouroboros'. After lunch we headed to the National Portrait Gallery, where students completed an interactive artwork scavenger hunt using iPads. We finished off with Super Kaylene Whiskey's exhibition, celebrating 'Minyma Kunpu' (strong women) with paintings of pop culture icons like Dolly Parton, Superwoman and Tina Turner. This excursion was a great opportunity for students to engage with contemporary artworks, extend on their critical thinking skills and gain some inspiration for their HSC Body of Work. 

Thank you to all staff who dedicated a lot of time and energy into making this trip possible, especially administration staff, Paige Hilton, Braden Lyons and Jamie Gawne. 

Australian War Memorial - Modern History

Modern History students visited the Australian War Memorial, extending their knowledge of the First World War and the role that Australians played in the conflict. 

They investigated the reasons for enlistment, conditions faced by those fighting and the nature of warfare, the sentiment at home including the conscription debate, the legacy left by the conflict on the nation and its people, and ongoing commemoration. Students explored the roles of both men and women serving in the Gallipoli campaign, the Western Front, and in Sinai and Palestine, and explore the nature and significance of the “Anzac legend”. They got to see historical sources up close, including one of the ships that landed at Gallipoli, complete with bullet holes!

Ms Erin Golding

HT HSIE/CAPA/LOTTE