Published on: 30 October 2025




This week, the Year 5 cohort gained a first-hand look at democracy in action during an engaging excursion to Parliament House and the Constitutional Centre. The visit provided valuable insight into the workings of the WA State Parliament and the distinct roles and responsibilities across Australia’s three levels of government.

Throughout the day, students took part in a simulated preferential voting activity, applying their learning in a hands-on and interactive way. The experience deepened their understanding of how Australia’s democratic system functions and why voting is important.

Students also explored the rich history of democracy, tracing its evolution from Ancient Greece to the modern Australian system. The excursion was not only educational but also an inspiring introduction to the 2026 Canberra Tour, which they will attend as Year 6 students to further expand their knowledge of the federal government and national institutions.

“At Parliament House, we sat in the seats where politicians make important decisions. Our proposed bill aimed to improve laws around smoking in public areas. It was interesting to see how both sides debated their views and how politicians ‘cross the floor’ when voting on discussion points.” – Rohan Shivakumar (Year 5)

“Learning how the preferential voting system works was really fair. It’s much better than ‘first past the post’ because counting the second and third preferences can change the result. It’s good to know how this process works, as we elect leaders to make important decisions on our behalf every three years federally and every four years at a state level.” – Oliver Kang (Year 5)