Year 12 Legal Studies

In an unforgettable, authentic learning opportunity, our Year 12 Legal Studies class visited the County Court on Thursday.

For 30 minutes before court sessions began, we had the privilege of Judge Fiona Todd speaking with the class to guide them through a sentencing scenario.  She asked students about the factors they would give weight to in deciding whether or not the defendant should receive a prison sentence or perhaps a community corrections order. The Court Liaison Officer mentioned how impressed she was with the interesting questions students asked Her Honour.

We then headed into the final stage of a slavery and assault trial, with the judge delivering his instructions to the jury about the legal principles that they need to apply to the facts of the case. This included the detailed considerations of the elements of slavery that the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt if the defendant was to be found guilty.

Prior to departing, we were shown the Jury Service area where our Court Liaison Officer talked students through the jury selection process, given most will turn 18 in the next 12 months and may one day serve on a jury.

Our students conducted themselves with the utmost respect and reverence for the serious place we were in. They diligently bowed to the judges upon arrival and departure from the courtrooms we were in, remained silent during proceedings and demonstrated the required maturity in showing attention to proceedings. 

Experiences such as this help students consolidate the theory we learn in class and make abstract concepts more concrete. They can now reliably draw on their experiences as we proceed with the rest of the course and our exam in November.

Tanya Moran

Humanities