Year 6 Trip to Canberra

Towards the end of Term 3 our Year 6 students and staff will be winging their way to the mainland as they embark on an exploration of our nation’s capital, Canberra.  As you can appreciate, the excitement levels are building in both 6 Navy and 6 White.  

Two of the main units studied in Year 6 are ‘The Making of a Nation’ and ‘Calling Australia Home.’  ‘The Making of a Nation’ focuses on how the Australasian colonies federated and became one unified country, as well as how democracy works in all levels of government, and how our legal system operates. We consider the arguments put forward by both sides in deciding whether or not to federate. We explore why people felt so passionate about their cause and why eventually the “YES’ campaign won. Other highlights include a timeline to Federation, how the Westminster system influenced Australian governance, and the process of writing the Australian Constitution. This integrated unit also investigates the three levels of Australian government and how through the democratic process of elections, all adults have a say in the future of the country. 

‘Calling Australia Home’ focuses on Australia’s multicultural roots through pre- and post-war migration and what richness and diversity migrants bring to this country. It is often a chance to look back at our own ancestral heritage, to tease it out and see how our own families become part of the fabric of this nation. Underpinning both units is an acknowledgment that we are a nation of immigrants who live and work and are governed on unceded land, cared for and managed over tens of thousands of years by the First Nations of this continent.

So the natural thing to do, given the teaching and learning focus throughout Year 6, is to visit the home of our Federal Parliament – Canberra – to ensure we are completely immersed in our learning. Heading to Canberra, we use the knowledge gathered in the classroom to explore its sights and sounds, understand what makes it tick, and how our Federal parliamentary system – designed by significant individuals from around this nation, including Tasmania – is regarded as one of the best in the world. As well as a visit to Parliament House, we will visit both the Museum of Australian Democracy in Old Parliament House, and the High Court of Australia.

Alongside this focus on Australian government, we will also seek to understand other aspects of this nation’s history, visiting the Australian War Memorial (as well as dedicated memorials along Anzac Parade such as the Vietnam War Memorial) to learn about not only the devastating impact of war, but also how it led to a rise in migration, shaping the very fabric of this nation. The trip is also an opportunity to immerse ourselves in incredible works of art at both the National Gallery and the Portrait Gallery, and develop an understanding of how our monetary system works through a guided tour of the Royal Australian Mint. New locations on our itinerary this year include visiting The Big Issue Classroom, the National Film and Sound Archive, and the Canberra Mosque. Each will allow students to gain a little insight into this nation’s history and ever-evolving identity. To top it all off, a visit to the AIS for a tour and a swim, a night walk around the Royal Botanical Gardens, and a visit to Floriade will complete a wonderful journey.  As you can see, it is a ‘camp’ that all staff and students want to attend. 

So stay tuned for updates on our classroom preparations (a few Year 6 students will be contributing throughout the coming weeks), as well as a complete summation of events and photos on our return.