This year’s Canberra trip was thoroughly enjoyed by the thirty lucky students and three staff. The group experienced most of Canberra’s major tourist icons including the National Art Gallery, CSIRO, Questacon, the Australian Institute of Sport, the High Court of Australia, Parliament House, Old Parliament House, the Royal Australian Mint and the National Arboretum.
A very special part of the trip, once again, was the Australian War Memorial. Several students had researched their family history and were able to find the names of their relatives on the Wall of Honour, where they laid a poppy.
In both Old and New Parliament houses the students were able to role play a Bill being passed by the Government. The topics of Compulsory Voting and the Damming of the Franklin River were well supported by our ‘Prime Minister’, ‘Opposition Leader’ and their respective ‘Ministers’.
After four days in a very cold Canberra, we travelled to Berridale, which was our base for the next couple of days skiing. Day one on the slopes was a very big challenge for most of the group who had never seen snow before. The early morning lessons went well, however most students struggled to acquire two important skills of ‘stopping and turning’ while standing on two very slippery planks! There were many creative ‘stacks’ on the plentiful snow. Most were met with laughter from the person ‘falling with style’ as well as the group of students surrounding them!
Day two of skiing was much more successful. Most students learnt the basics and then went about developing their skills for the rest of the day. There were still plenty of outstanding crashes on the snow, however by the end of the second day many students were working out when might be the best time to ask their parents about a ‘Family Skiing Holiday’!
The Canberra experience was a very memorable one. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributes funding under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.
The students all got along famously and were fantastic ambassadors for the College while away. I am confident they will never want to count to thirty or hear the song ‘We Are Done’ ever again. A special thanks to Ms Barry and Ms Woodhall-Jones for their support on the trip.
Mr Paul Culnane
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