MORE than 100 Wodonga Senior Secondary College students attended a ‘Constitutional Convention’ last week.
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The convention, which was linked to sociology, legal studies, history and politics subjects, discussed human rights issues in Australia and tasked the students with coming up with ways to solve them.
A number of guest speakers presented at last Thursday’s event, including La Trobe University lecturers Dr Bec Strating (international politics) and Darren Stonehouse (social work/human rights/law and ethics), as well as Indi MP Cathy McGowan.
WSSC legal studies teacher Lachlan Pinder said it was important for students to learn how to think critically about the information they see around them.
“We see this as a vitally important issue, particularly in the 21st century,” he said.
“The kids are constantly bombarded with information and different opinions, they need to be able to look critically at where that information is coming from and try to develop their own opinions.
“At the moment, particular issues of racial discrimination, marriage equality and the gender pay gap are things the students are hearing about in the media, and not always accurately.
“This was an opportunity to give the students more accurate information, give them the scope to discuss it with others and be able to reach their own conclusions.”
Following the in-house convention, there will also be opportunities for students to attend state and national constitutional conventions.
The focus of the convention was answering the question ‘Australia’s approach to human rights is outdated. How can we create a positive change for future generations?’
Mr Pinder said that with the end of high school approaching for the year 12 cohort, it was an important opportunity to teach the value of discussion and debate.
“We’re trying to show that learning doesn’t always happen in a classroom, from a textbook,” he said.
“It has to be meaningful, this is a hands-on experience for them in terms of what they’ll experience once they leave school.
“They can’t operate in a high school bubble once they leave, they’re going to need to engage with others in a meaningful way.
“They’ll be exposed to other ideas, and they’ll need to know how to argue some and how to take others on board.”
Cathy McGowan said it was important for young people to understand the workings of the constitution.
“It’s really great the students are familiarising themselves with the constitution, not only to know their own rights, but to understand the rules-based system that exists,” she said.
