Last week, our Year 6 students travelled to Canberra, Australia’s capital city, for a short but incredibly interesting camp. The trip provided students with the opportunity to see many of the nation’s most important landmarks and learn more about Australia’s history, government and national identity.
During their visit, students toured a number of significant locations including Old Parliament House, Parliament House, the Australian Electoral Education Centre, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Capital Exhibition, and the Australian War Memorial. A clear favourite among the students was Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre, where hands-on exhibits made learning about science exciting and interactive.
Along the way, students drove past the high commissions and embassies of many countries and saw the impressive Captain Cook Memorial Jet, which sends water high into the air. The group also travelled up Mount Ainslie to view the famous Parliamentary Triangle. This layout was designed by husband-and-wife architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin after they won an international competition to design the city before Canberra had even been built.
One particularly interesting design feature students learned about is that Parliament House is built into the hillside. Visitors are able to walk over the top of the building, symbolising that the people stand above the Parliament. It serves as a reminder that the Parliament exists to serve the people.
At Questacon, students explored a wide range of engaging activities designed to demonstrate scientific ideas such as gravity, friction and powerful natural forces like earthquakes. Students experimented with levers, pulleys, buttons and interactive displays; twisting, turning, pushing and pulling to discover how different systems work. The experience even included the famous Giant Drop for the brave students willing to give it a try!
The tour concluded with a reflective visit to the Australian War Memorial and ANZAC Parade. Here, students learned powerful stories of courage, service, and sacrifice. Walking among the statues and monuments helped students gain a deeper appreciation for those who served our country and the freedoms we enjoy today.
A special thank you goes to the Australian Government for helping fund this valuable learning experience through the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) Program.
The Canberra camp was a fantastic opportunity for students to see Australia’s democracy, history and science brought to life, and it will be remembered as a highlight of the Year 6 experience.
Student reflections:
My highlight of the camp as inside the Australian War Memorial. This was one of the most educational experiences in my schooling as not only did I learn information from a PowerPoint, but I also got to learn with models, dioramas, diagrams and interesting speeches. Visiting this site was very memorable for me, and I’m sure it was for many others as well. It left me a strong lasting impression and would be a place that I would visit again when I get the chance to. – Grace F
One of our most appealing locations of Canberra was Questacon. Questacon is an amazing Science Centre where you can conduct lots of self-experiments along with a bunch of shows you can watch. Questacon is a must go if you are interested in adventure and thrill. My favourite moment at Questacon was the giant slide. You wear a jumpsuit and hang of a bar at the top of the slide and once you are ready, you let go and start going down the slide. The slide has a ninety degree drop and works by gravity pushing you down. – Jehan P
Our trip to Canberra was an unforgettable experience filled with learning and excitement. Visiting important places like Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial and the old Parliament House helped me understand more about Australia’s history and how our country works. Every location we visited had something unique to teach us. This trip was not only fun, but also very educational, and it is a memory I will value forever. – Shania P
