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Happy Valley School

Responsibility
Respect
Integrity |
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Above: Last minute instructions in the
Legislative Council. |
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"I reckon it was a great opportunity. I wish that more
people could have been involved." |
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Brett Abroe |
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"The whole Parliament House experience was extremely
breath-taking: with the nice leather seats and the architecture of
the building, even the debate was excellent." |
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Adrian |
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"Going to Parliament House was good! I had lots of fun and
learnt lots too. I liked having to wear a gown, and getting a
script." |
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Tom
Cole |
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"When I went to Parliament House, I thought
it was great. I loved it, and wish everyone could go! In the debate,
I was the Minister Of Education." |
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Matthew
G. |
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Above: The Opposition makes a point in the
debate to alter the length of the school day in the
Legislative Council. |
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"I reckon the Parliament House debate was very good and I
learnt a lot. I finally found out about the House of Assembly and
the Legislative Council. Both houses were well done and it was a
great pleasure to be there." |
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Sam
Wilson |
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"The best thing at Parliament House was the two rooms we
went into. I also enjoyed the debate. I liked the way the public are
allowed into the houses. I would love to go back there again. |
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Wes
C. |
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"At Parliament House I had a great time. It was a lot of fun
and I learnt a lot too. Before I went there, I didn't know how it
all ran. I had a wonderful day." |
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David |
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"I thought it was an
enjoyable experience seeing the actual places where the politicians
sit and debate. I enjoyed my time there even though I didn't
actually say anything." |
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Daniel
Phillips |
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Above: The Leader of the Opposition in the
Upper House participates in the debate. |
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Above: A Government member argues his
position on the length of the school day. |
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Above: Students participate
in Parliamentary proceedings in the Legislative Council
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During Term 3 2001, Happy
Valley School was successful in gaining a place in the South
Australian Student Parliamentary Debate Programme. |
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On Thursday 9th August, a group of 32,
Year 6 and 7 Middle School students, together with staff
members, Meridith Gabb, Barb Williams, Yvonne Ridge, D'Arcy
Jones and Brian Marshall, travelled into the city to visit
Parliament House. A group of parents also accompanied the
party and assisted with transport. |

Above: Students take up
their positions in the House of Assembly. |

Above: The School
Parliamentary Officer provides last minute instructions in the House
of Assembly, before our students participated in a debate to alter
the length of the school day.
Above: An Opposition
member makes an important point in the Legislative Council. |
While they were at Parliament
House, the students participated in a scripted debate on a
Bill to alter the length of the school day. The enactment
involved students performing the roles of Speaker, Clerk,
Serjeant-at-arms, Premier, Leader of the Opposition and
other officers and members of Parliament. |
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Above: The
Government (left) and Opposition members (right) face each
other in a spirited debate on the length of the school day. |
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Student participation in
decision making is a major focus at Happy Valley School.
Students are encouraged to participate in this process
through our student representative body, the Kookaburra
Council. The students who participated in this Parliamentary Debate
Programme learnt a great deal about the democratic
process and the importance of vigorous, positive debate. |

Above: A quick discussion by
Government members to plan their next tactic. |
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Above: The School
Parliamentary Officer and The President of the Legislative
Council begin proceedings. |
Judging from the comments of
the students on their return to school, the excursion was
very successful. Not only did the students appear to enjoy
the experience, but they also learnt a great deal about our
parliamentary system. Their only disappointment was that
all middle school students were unable to be involved. |

Above: The debate proceeds in
the Legislative Council
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| Above: The
Opposition convenes a quick meeting to discuss its
next plan of action. |
Above: A
parent watches proceedings in the House of Assembly from the
Visitors Gallery. |

Above: The scene in the House
of Assembly
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The staff and students who
participated in the Parliamentary Debate Programme would
like to thank the parents who supported this excursion. Your
assistance in helping with supervision and transport was
greatly appreciated. |
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