For the past 8 years, Aspendale Gardens Primary School students and teachers have made the annual trip to Canberra to visit our nation’s capital and learn all about our government in Australia.
According to James Cracknell, Classroom Teacher and ICT Coordinator at Aspendale Gardens Primary School, “We go to Canberra as it provides our students with an authentic experience of how our government system is structured. It gives them the opportunity to understand the history of our country and the importance of a democratic system of government. It ties in perfectly with our school’s inquiry units and helps us to meet the Civics and Citizenship section of the Victorian Curriculum.
“Students gain an understanding of the democratic system of government in Australia. They are also able to have some amazing experiences at many different venues”.
With the PACER rebate available, this makes it more financially affordable for families to budget for the annual school camp for their children.
According to James and the students “Questacon always tends to be the most popular attraction in Canberra but some of our students really loved going to the Mint and to the Deep Space Communication Complex.”
After the trip, the school asks students to complete a post trip project which requires them to think and be involved with societal causes in Australia. The project requires students to find an issue about society and write a proposal letter to the government offering suggestions for how this issue can be addressed.
Perhaps the trip will inspire some of the students to become the next leaders of our country – watch this space!
