Our recent trip to Canberra was an exciting and highly successful learning experience that brought classroom concepts to life and created lasting memories for students and staff alike. Over four action-packed days, students explored key institutions that shape Australia’s government and civic identity, engaging directly with the Central Idea: “The structure of government and the decisions it makes impact on the fairness of society.”
The St Peters Campus Year 5/6s combined with the St John’s Campus Year 6s for the trip, which provided great opportunities to strengthen cross-campus connections. Our itinerary included a tour of Parliament House, where we had the opportunity to sit in the House of Representatives and ask questions about how laws are made. We also visited Government House, where students learned about the role of the Governor General and the importance of leadership and responsibility in public life. At the Royal Australian Mint, students explored the history of currency in Australia and even saw coins being made. These experiences were supported by visits to the National Electoral Education Centre, the Australian War Memorial, and Questacon, providing a rich and diverse overview of Australia's history, science and systems of democracy.
Throughout the week, students demonstrated maturity, teamwork and resilience. They successfully navigated airport procedures with confidence, represented our school with pride and participated fully in all activities with enthusiasm. Many students stepped outside their comfort zones, supporting one another and building stronger friendships and independence along the way.
It was truly rewarding to see our students so engaged in real-world learning experiences, applying their knowledge, asking thoughtful questions and showing curiosity about the world around them. We are incredibly proud of their behaviour, teamwork and positive attitudes throughout the trip.
The Canberra experience not only strengthened their understanding of government and civic responsibility but also helped shape them into more confident, capable and compassionate learners and citizens.
Matthew Webster
Year 5/6 Teacher - St Peters Campus
