Sarah Newton of Wangaratta High School was the winner of our student competition. Students who had undertaken the Passport to Democracy program were invited to write us a short explanation of the issue they were concerned about and what their plan of action was. Sarah and her group were concerned about deforestation so it was fitting that the prize was a Kindle eReader. Sarah will now be able to enjoy reading without causing any more trees to be cut down. She is pictured with her teacher Jess Edwards who introduced the Passport to Democracy program to her school last year and is continuing to teach it to her current students this year. We will hold another student competition at the end of Term 2 so stay tuned for the details of how your students can enter.
Year 10 students studying Law and Order at Berwick Secondary College received their passports to democracy recently when they voted in two class elections for their preferred group action plans. The rain was no dampener as groups took on big issues such as road tolls, discrimination, obesity and pollution. It’s always fab to go out to schools and see this program alive and kicking. Well done to the election winners - one group that took on discrimination and the other who persuasively pitched their action plan on obesity –to encourage healthy food in schools, education for parents and families and compulsory sports sessions for all students in all year levels.
“..we loved how we were able to get involved and act out how an official election would be held.”
Student Berwick Secondary College
”What a great program. Interactive, innovative and relevant to today’s society”
Teacher Berwick Secondary College.
YMCA Youth Parliament is preparing for its 26th consecutive year and it’s time for those who want to make a difference to get involved. For three days in July, the Members of Parliament will hand over the reins – and their desks to 120 young people aged 16-25, who will debate 20 pieces of proposed legislation. Applications
for the 2012 YMCA Youth Parliament of Victoria are now open, and young people of Victoria have the opportunity to have their voices heard. (Applications close Monday 30 April 2012.)Individuals aged 16-25 can get involved by contacting their local YMCA, or by visiting www.victoria.ymca.org.au/youthparliament .
Rosehill Secondary College undertook the Passport to Democracy program in Term 4, 2011 with all of their Year 10 students.
I just thought I’d give you my feedback on the resources and democracy course. It was all of high quality, relevant and engaging. My Year 10′s loved it. They were telling their friends about ‘the election’. As a teacher I also enjoyed to teach it. Election day was so much fun! Students had baked cup cakes and made posters.
Teacher, Rosehill Secondary College
Congratulations to Jessica Edwards at Wangaratta High School who has won 2 movie tickets. Jessica filled out her teacher survey online after completing the Passport to Democracy program with her students. Another draw will be held at the end of Term 4 so if you have run the program with your students fill out the survey for your chance to win. It will only take a few minutes and your feedback is very valuable for the further development of resources. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LL7XKV8
Photo Credit: worradmu Free Digital Photos
In 2010 the VEC partnered with AMES (Adult Multicultural Education Services) to provide 18 young people from diverse cultural backgrounds an opportunity to develop digital storytelling skills. Participants spent three days working on stories about their personal experience of democracy in their homelands and Australia. The digital stories are an excellent teaching resource and are now available online along with a handy activity sheet.
Teachers who have taught the Passport to Democracy program can now fill out their feedback forms online, saving both time and trees. All feedback contributes to the continual development and improvement of the program so make sure you have your say. Survey respondents go into a draw for free movie tickets so if you’ve taught the program within the last year, jump onto the survey now.
An active citizenship conference for young people and youth organisations…
The Hard Knock Life conference (9-10 September at Gasworks Art Park) aims to provide young people with the opportunity to create a better world for themselves, now and in the future. The conference hopes to leverage the creativity of young minds to create meaningful participation and effective change in local communities.
Day one of Hard Knock Life will bring together individuals who engage with and involve young people in projects, programs and organisations to discuss how young people can make their voices heard and how they make a very real and practical difference: from the street to the Board Room.
The second day will be run by young people who will be invited to decide what topics and sessions they want to discuss. These sessions will result in the sharing of ideas, inspirations, shared goals and connections.
For more information visit hardknocklife.info
Our new contact details are:
Level 11, 530 Collins St
Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone: 13 18 32
Fax: (03) 9629 8624
vec.vic.gov.au
- Victor Vote Counter explains the two systems on the UK Electoral Commission’s aboutmyvote website
- Coverage on The Guardian
- The Official Yes Campaign website
- The Official No Campaign website
What do you think the outcome will be?
