Although not Hume Anglican Grammar’s first visit to Canberra, it was the first time all three campuses travelled and spent the week together, consisting of 190 eager Year 6 students and 20 equally excited staff.

Leaving very early on Monday morning from each of our campuses, we met up at our first stop to begin the week as a larger community at the Benalla Rose Gardens. After a long day of travel, we settled into our shared accommodation at the Capital Airport Motel where staff and students alike enjoyed the first of some wonderful dinners and fabulous hospitality from our accommodation providers. Students enjoyed a movie or disco and then settled in relatively quickly to their hotel style cabins.

Over the next three days, students participated in formal visits to Parliament House and the War Memorial where their exemplary behaviour was commented on at both venues. They represented themselves, family and school in a way they can be truly proud of.  

The visit to the War Memorial allowed the students to consider, reflect and commemorate those who have given the ultimate service to their country. In turn they were able to reflect on what this act of service means to them as citizens of Australia today.

The visit to Parliament, which is connected to the curriculum being taught at School, gave them an opportunity to really understand how the Australian Representative Democracy works and how they are part of this.

To understand our political and electoral system further students also visited the Electoral Education Centre, Old Parliament and the High Court where they learnt about their rights, responsibilities, and the importance of the separation of Power and the constitution.  

The students' learning extended beyond politics, with the history and planning that went into the design of Canberra, in particular the Parliamentary Triangle, and the importance of the building of the War Memorial in the line of Parliament. They also visited Questacon and the Australian Institute of Sport, the National Arboretum, and The Canberra Deep Space Centre. Through interactive activities, students had the opportunity to explore space and science, and stretched their muscles at Sportex and through Orienteering.  In addition to cultural and historical sites, the students visited significant institutions, such as the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) and the Royal Australian Mint.  

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all of our staff who accompanied our students to Canberra, and the outstanding care they provided and experiences they organised.

In support of our tour, through the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program, we also acknowledge the generous support of the Australian Government, contributing $45 per student towards tour expenses, for which we are grateful.

Joanne Ellis 
Head of Student Wellbeing 3-6 (Donnybrook)

Sarah Shatford 
Head of Student Wellbeing 3-6 (Freier)

Jon Parks
Head of Student Wellbeing 3-6 (Kalkallo)