Key CCE Dates
Civics and Citizenship Education (CCE) is supported through a range of National Activities. The following are some of the key national activities on the CCE calendar.
National Schools Constitutional Convention
This peak Convention provides a national forum for Australia's students to address issues arising from the Australian Constitution. One hundred and seventeen senior students selected from feeder conventions conducted by the States and Territories represent government, independent and Catholic schools from across Australia.
The National Schools Constitutional Convention aims to:
- provide an opportunity for students in Years 11 and 12 to explore contemporary constitutional issues
- encourage students to become informed and actively interested in the Australian Constitution
- enhance students' learning on constitutional issues.
The Schools' Conventions programme provides a range of benefits to senior students, including opportunities for:
- developing an understanding and appreciation of the Australian Constitution and how it guides our democracy
- discussing contemporary issues that affect their lives now and in the future
- developing an understanding and appreciation of Australia's legal and political systems
- developing public speaking skills
- sharing ideas with students from schools across sectors and States and Territories
- experiencing active citizenship, so as to encourage them to be active and responsible participants in our democracy into the future.
Civics and Citizenship Education Forum
The forum encourages teachers active in CCE to apply for funded positions to attend the forum. Forum participants have the opportunity to hear from academics and practitioners on civic and citizenship issues, and to explore Civics and Citizenship resources, as well as to consider best practice in implementing the Statements of Learning for Civics and Citizenship Education, and helping students to achieve in the National Assessment Domain.
Celebrating Democracy Week
During an annually designated week, schools around Australia celebrate our democracy with a wide range of activities supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training. Grants are awarded to schools in all education sectors around Australia to host Civics and Citizenship events, or to undertake innovative Civics and Citizenship educational activities. Grants are also awarded to States and Territories to host Civics and Citizenship events and activities for students, and professional development activities for teachers. The Every Voice Counts! Student Forum, a feature of Celebrating Democracy Week, is held in Canberra, and provides Years 10 and 11 Students with the opportunity to participate in a student forum on the Week's theme, and to obtain a 'behind the scenes' look at government.
State and Territory events
Many States and Territories run Schools Constitutional Conventions as a prelude to the National Convention in Canberra. Parents are advised to contact their schools for more information on these events. Some States and Territories have made information on their Schools Constitutional Conventions available on the Internet. These are listed below.
Queensland runs seven zones in March for the Queensland Schools' Constitutional Conventions:
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
- South-West Queensland (Toowoomba)
- North Coast (Nambour)
- Central Queensland (Rockhampton)
- Northern Queensland (Townsville).
School Constitutional Conventions
Victorian Schools Constitutional Conventions occur in September.
What's Currently Happening
To find what activities are occurring in civics and citizenship education, please access 'What's Happening' under the 'National Activities' link.