HASS

A Field Of Colour

As part of the Year 9 HASS Geography program, Global Interconnections, all Year 9 students participated in a kite making and flying workshop in Week 5.

Students learned about the history of kites and the significance of kites in different cultures. Each student made and decorated a kite and tested their kite flying skills out on the oval.

Andrew Osnain

Head of HASS

Youth Politics Hackathon Winners Lunch at Parliament

A few of weeks ago, seventy two Civics and Citizenship students from across Perth participated in the inaugural Youth Politics Hackathon. The Hackathon, which is an initiative designed to develop knowledge and an understanding of civics and citizenship in a democratic society,  was jointly presented by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA and the Political and Legal Educators Association of WA.

The select group of top Year 10 students bounced their ideas off one another during the event to develop a range of suitable policy solutions to the issues they deemed most important to Western Australia’s young people. They presented their solutions to a panel made up of the Minister of Youth, the Honourable Mr Peter Tinley, and business sector representatives.  Two John XXIII College students, Charlie Richards and Cullen Binet, and two students from Wesley College and Chisholm Catholic College, won the award for Best Pitches.

On Wednesday,  the winning teams had the honour of lunching with the Minister as his invited guests. They dined in the prestigious surroundings of the Parliamentary Dining Room, which is only bestowed on those lucky enough to be invited as guests of a Minister.

While their classmates back at school had canteen fare or lunch packed from home, Charlie and Cullen savoured the silver service, three course meal reserved for Parliamentarians.  The conversation flowed with Minister Tinley asking for their opinions on a range of subjects.  When the bell rang for Parliament question time, members of the Minster’s staff escorted the students to the Public Gallery where their presence was acknowledged before the house.

“It is wonderful to see young people so passionate about issues, so keen to share their ideas and so eager to create positive change," Minister Tinley said.

I couldn’t agree more. Congratulations Charlie and Cullen on a wonderful achievement.  This opportunity will be offered to next years, Year 10 students.  So to the Year 9’s reading this article, if this appeals to you, work hard next year in Civics!

Daisy Farley

Humanities and Social Sciences