The Year 6 Canberra Tour, introduced last year to further support the ‘Inquiry and Initiative’ Phase of Learning in Years 5 and 6, gave boys four days to immerse themselves in the National Capital and all things Australian. The boys were also delighted to have Headmaster Garth Wynne join them on two days of the tour.

Director of Studies Brad Hilliard said the boys were very fortunate to meet the Governor-General and her husband Michael. “Her Excellency spoke generously to the boys about her most recent trip to Afghanistan and the Middle East as well as her role,” Mr Hilliard said. He said the boys also enjoyed meeting old boy Ned Brophy-Williams, an occupational trainee at the AIS, who organised a dinner for the School.

Here is what four boys had to say about the experience in their tour journals:

Day 1:
My class woke up at 6.30am and it was excruciatingly cold! We jumped on the bus and drove to Government House. There, we met the Governor-General – few people get to meet her. We then rode on the bus until we reached the Museum of Australian Democracy and we played a game there where we had to answer a number of questions. At Parliament House, a highlight for me was being Sergeant-at-Arms in the House of Representatives.
Tom Lewsey (6JL)

Day 2:
Today started with a magnificent view on top of Mt Ainsley. Then we went to the National Gallery and found out lots about the paintings by artists like Jackson Pollock and Sidney Nolan. Lastly, we went to the Australian War Memorial and saw movies of epic battles. Today was really interesting. I can’t wait for tomorrow.
Harrison Kay (6GM)

Day 3:
On Wednesday, the whole of Year 6 visited the National Museum, National Film and Sound Archive, CSIRO and the AIS. My highlight was participating in a few of the complicated conversations at CSIRO about creating new strands of life using empty gene cells and putting new DNA in. While at Kspace at the National Museum, I played on a machine which allows you to create a futuristic vehicle or house.
Riki Wylie (6LA)

Day 4:
Today I learned there are six robots at the Royal Australian Mint. Some of the robots are called Titan, Roxy, Robby and Penny. 650 coins are made per minute. The one cent and two cent coins were melted down into Olympic bronze medals. Today I learned that Questacon is VERY FUN!
Akio Ho (6JP)

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 in meeting the costs of the excursion, the Australian Government contributes funding of $240 per eligible student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) programme toward the travel expenses incurred.