Year 10 students from Bellingen High School have gained a first-hand understanding of how laws are made and decisions are debated in New South Wales during a visit to NSW Parliament House in Sydney.
The excursion gave students the opportunity to tour the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly chambers, learn about the history of Parliament House and take part in a mock debate based on real parliamentary proceedings.
The visit formed part of How the Legislature Works, an education program delivered by the Parliament of NSW that helps students connect classroom learning with the practical operation of government.
Year 10 student Abbey Glyde said the experience brought parliamentary processes to life.
“I liked when we went in the Upper and the Lower House, it was so interesting to learn about all the different roles that everyone has. And when we were role playing, it was really cool because it was about something that actually happened [in Parliament], and we got to hear what real life people said and how it went down. It was really cool,” she said.
Fellow student Anya Skinner said the visit made learning about Parliament more engaging.
“I liked learning about the history of Parliament House. We got shown the Chambers and we got to role play some bills. It was really interesting,” she said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the programs help students better understand democratic processes and civic participation.
“The Parliament of NSW education programs give students a deeper understanding of how laws are made, how Parliament operates and how citizens can participate in shaping their society. It is an important investment in civic education and the next generation of leaders.”
For students from regional communities such as Bellingen, the program provides access to experiences that may otherwise be difficult because of distance and travel costs. The school’s visit was supported by Parliament’s Regional Travel Subsidy, which assists regional schools to travel to Sydney.
The program gives students practical insight into:
- the structure and role of Parliament
- the legislative process
- delegated legislation
- the distinction between the division of powers and the separation of powers in Australia’s system of government.
All Parliament of NSW education programs are free and available to schools across the state.
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