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Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Article by Amy Anderson
On the 18th May, one student from Year 9 Power Play and three students from Year 10 Legal and Politics, were invited to participate in the 2022 Secondary Schools’ Parliamentary Convention, Victorian Students’ Parliamentary Program, at Parliament House in Melbourne. The overall selection process from attending schools, to selected students was quite a procedure and all applicants should be congratulated for putting forward their interest in the event.
The day began by catching a ferry from Portarlington Pier to Docklands, then a tram up Collins Street with a short walk to Parliament House. All attending schools were required to have a student present an opening statement which responded to the convention’s topic of the day ‘Should the Victorian Government retain judge alone trials for indictable offences post COVID-19?’. There was a total of 17 schools in attendance, and 17 opening statements with Maddy Duncan, Sebastian Maclean, Mitchell Smith and William Towart preparing a statement that was delivered confidently by William Towart.
The day involved students listening to two speakers, Associate Professor Jacqui Horan, Law Faculty at Monash University and also Dr Felicity Gerry QC, Professor of Legal Practice, School of Business and Law, Deakin University. The speakers brought the topic to life by setting up a mock trial in the Green Room of Parliament House. The next session of the day saw delegates divided into groups which allowed students to mix with other schools to debate the topic. This was followed by a vibrant debate nicknamed ‘Soapbox’ involving the floor on the topic which delved into the role of a jury in criminal trials, the justification of the temporary introduction of judge alone trials in Victoria and arguments for and against whether judge alone trials should be continued or juries reinstated for indictable offences post COVID-19. The day concluded with the final vote and then the official closing address by David Hodgett MP, Shadow Minister for Education.
The Parliamentary Convention was truly an amazing experience for all, with many lessons learnt and ideas sowed for the future.
Reflection by Madison Duncan
For me, the Parliamentary Convention was one of the best opportunities I have ever been offered. It was a chance for me and many other students to gather together and discuss a political issue with other like-minded people. I would highly recommend it to everyone as it was a great chance to gather, discuss, debate, learn and form new friendships with all kinds of students.
William Towart Year 10
It was an amazing day, where I got to see and experience first hand the procedures of debating and passing a bill, even getting to play a role myself debating our schools stance on the topic.
Feature
Events
Our News // 27 May 2022
Article by Amy Anderson
On the 18th May, one student from Year 9 Power Play and three students from Year 10 Legal and Politics, were invited to participate in the 2022 Secondary Schools’ Parliamentary Convention, Victorian Students’ Parliamentary Program, at Parliament House in Melbourne. The overall selection process from attending schools, to selected students was quite a procedure and all applicants should be congratulated for putting forward their interest in the event.
The day began by catching a ferry from Portarlington Pier to Docklands, then a tram up Collins Street with a short walk to Parliament House. All attending schools were required to have a student present an opening statement which responded to the convention’s topic of the day ‘Should the Victorian Government retain judge alone trials for indictable offences post COVID-19?’. There was a total of 17 schools in attendance, and 17 opening statements with Maddy Duncan, Sebastian Maclean, Mitchell Smith and William Towart preparing a statement that was delivered confidently by William Towart.
The day involved students listening to two speakers, Associate Professor Jacqui Horan, Law Faculty at Monash University and also Dr Felicity Gerry QC, Professor of Legal Practice, School of Business and Law, Deakin University. The speakers brought the topic to life by setting up a mock trial in the Green Room of Parliament House. The next session of the day saw delegates divided into groups which allowed students to mix with other schools to debate the topic. This was followed by a vibrant debate nicknamed ‘Soapbox’ involving the floor on the topic which delved into the role of a jury in criminal trials, the justification of the temporary introduction of judge alone trials in Victoria and arguments for and against whether judge alone trials should be continued or juries reinstated for indictable offences post COVID-19. The day concluded with the final vote and then the official closing address by David Hodgett MP, Shadow Minister for Education.
The Parliamentary Convention was truly an amazing experience for all, with many lessons learnt and ideas sowed for the future.
Reflection by Madison Duncan
For me, the Parliamentary Convention was one of the best opportunities I have ever been offered. It was a chance for me and many other students to gather together and discuss a political issue with other like-minded people. I would highly recommend it to everyone as it was a great chance to gather, discuss, debate, learn and form new friendships with all kinds of students.
William Towart Year 10
It was an amazing day, where I got to see and experience first hand the procedures of debating and passing a bill, even getting to play a role myself debating our schools stance on the topic.
