Highlights from Hartzer Group 2

Hartzer Group 2 started their four week residential program with a visit to Canberra. 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 is contributing funding of $45 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

Two of our students, Holly Norris and Norina Blassis wrote this reflection of their time in Canberra. 

Canberra: Our Nation's Capital

Canberra is a vibrant city filled with cultural, political, and historical monuments that capture the stories of Australians everywhere. Visiting our nation’s capital gave us all a deeper understanding of the history of our country and a huge appreciation for all the sacrifices made so we could have the experiences we have today.

The first stop on our Canberra journey was Parliament House. The home of Australia's democracy. The whole building inspired awe and appreciation. We learned the House of Representatives and the Senate were modelled on the Westminster system in England, however, the designer gave the colour theme an update to include the colours of the iconic Australian tree, the gum.

At the National Gallery of Australia, we were immersed in the vibrant world of art. The gallery’s massive collection showcased the diversity of Australian and international art, from Indigenous watercolour works to abstract masterpieces that challenged our idea of art. Jackson Pollock’s ‘Blue Poles’ was a beautiful piece with a sense of chaos and intensity while the watercolours of Australian landscapes done by Indigenous artists had a more calming effect.

The National Museum of Australia was a totally different experience. We got to analyse a specific item that related to an event that shaped Australia, from gold pans to World War 2 medallions, we had to uncover the stories behind all the objects. We then got to wander through the exhibits, seeing everything from animals woven from fishing nets to a telephone box, melted in the bushfires.

The Museum of Australian Democracy or Old Parliament House was incredible. Sitting in the same seats as the politicians sat in, well before us, was breathtaking and the interactive experience they had set up was awesome. A huge timeline covered the walls of the space and we learnt so many amazing facts about our democratic history.

The Royal Australian Mint gave a full rundown on the history of Australia’s currency and the production of our current money which we could see from the viewing area. A few of us even got our own specially minted, limited edition coin.

The Australian War Memorial’s grandeur paid tribute to the names and memories of the Australians who lost their lives serving in the war. Walking through the exhibits, we were reminded of their incredible sacrifice. We learnt about the tomb of the unknown Australian Soldier and the people and values he represents as well as hearing specific stories about both men and women who sacrificed so much.

The Australian Botanical Gardens was astounding. Seeing the plants and critters by night was a totally different experience. We learnt about the native plants of Australia and their different uses all the while keeping our eyes open for the possums and sugar gliders that call the Botanical Gardens home.

We visited the National Canberra Exhibition at Regatta Point for our final stop. It was the perfect conclusion to our trip, tying everything we learned so far together. From the planning and design of Canberra to the name itself, the National Canberra Exhibition was filled with information on the founding and history of our capital itself.

Canberra offered us a glimpse into Australia’s politics and allowed us to immerse ourselves in its vibrant art, honour its heroes, and connect with our rich history. Canberra embodies the spirit of a capital city and reflects our remarkable nation's hard work for its future generations.

Nous Sommes hikers hit the track 

Our Nous Sommes program commenced at the start of Term 3 for Group 2 students. The four-week program is full of group activities, a major project and specialist activities in the Technology, Arts and Performing Arts streams. 

The group completed their 10 kilometre bushwalk from Churchill Park to Lysterfield Lake as part of the PE module of the program.