School Programs at the Constitutional Centre of Western Australia

Through the use of storytelling (Larfalot’s Letter) and puppets, this program further explores the imaginary town of Parkesville and discusses the concept of rules required to form a constitution, and the democratic process of voting to elect representatives. (EYLF Outcome 2; ACHASSK070; ACHASSK071)

Online Access

See additional resources.

Through the use of a large storybook (Prejudice in Parkesville) and puppets, this program introduces students to the imaginary town of Parkesville and its inhabitants to explore the problem of prejudice in the new community and how the residents deal with this issue. (EYLF Outcome 2)

Through class and group discussion students compare the difference between rules and laws, and explain the need for and importance of laws in society. They consolidate this knowledge by completing a game and group activity which helps relate rules and laws to everyday situations. (ACHASSK092)

See additional resources.

Through class discussion and the completion of activities and games, students learn about local government and the services it provides in their community. The program concludes with a letter writing activity to their local government leader to reflect on local services they enjoy and areas they think need improvement. (ACHASSK091; ACELY1694)

See additional resources.

Through a series of interactive activities students learn about the concept of democracy including its origins, features, and the values which underpin democracy in Australia. Students put this information into action by completing a group activity. (ACHASSK115)

Online Access

See additional resources.

Through interactive activities students learn about the differing and shared structures, roles and responsibilities of the three levels of government. This includes a discussion of key figures such as the monarch and the Queen’s representatives in Australia. (ACHASSK144; ACHASSK143)

Online Access

See additional resources.

Through a series of interactive activities including a role-play, students consolidate their understanding of the feudal system in medieval England and explore the issues which led to the creation of the Magna Carta and explain its key points. To complete the program students examine how the Magna Carta links to modern democracy, and the ways Australia’s democracy has been influenced by ‘The Great Charter’. (ACHASSK143; ACHASSK134)

See additional resources.

Through class discussion and the completion of interactive activities students learn about what Australia was like before 1901, and examine the road to Federation including the timeline, concerns of the colonies, key figures, and the referendums of 1899 and 1900. (ACHASSK134; ACHASSK143)

See additional resources.

Through an interactive role-play students learn about and examine the way federal laws are initiated, debated, and passed through Parliament. Students sit in a chamber-style classroom and engage in a mock parliamentary debate to consolidate their understanding of how a bill is passed by the Federal Government. (ACHASSK146; ACHASSK143; ACHASSK144)

See additional resources.

Through a series of interactive activities including a class role-play students learn about the historical context of Australia’s Constitution and examine the structure of the government it establishes. This includes a look at the three arms of government, their structure, and the separation of power between them. (ACHCK048)

Online Access

See additional resources.

Through discussion and small group activities students work to consolidate their knowledge on Australia’s democracy, investigate types of democracy in comparison to Australia, and classify the rights and responsibilities of Australian citizenship. Students also look closely into the freedoms of speech, religion, movement, media, assembly, and association. (ACHCK061; ACHCK062)

See additional resources.

Through the completion of interactive activities and group discussion, students learn about the roles and responsibilities of political parties and independent members within Australia’s bicameral parliament. This includes an examination of how government is formed, what happens in the case of a hung parliament, and an introduction to the concept of political spectrums. (ACHCK075) 

See additional resources.

This session walks students through a constitutional perspective of the events leading up to and including the 1975 crisis. Students look closely at the relevant sections of the Australian Constitution, and examine the role of constitutional conventions in the functioning of Australia’s system of government and distribution of power. (UNIT 3 Politics and Law ATAR)