Jessica & Bodhi Selected to Attend National Constitutional Convention

Congratulations to Year 12 students Jessica Nguyen and Bodhi Wait who will attend the 28^th National Schools Constitutional Convention (NSCC) in Canberra between 21 and 23 March.

The convention will be held at the Museum of Australian Democracy in Old Parliament House and is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education (DOE), coordinated by National Curriculum Services (NCS) and supported by the Australian Curriculum Studies Association (ACSA) and department of education from all states and territories.

As national delegates, Jessica and Bodhi were selected from hundreds of students from government, independent and Catholic schools, most of whom took part in feeder conventions in their home state or territory. Jessica and Bodhi are two of only 116 students from around Australia to attend.

The aim of the program is to provide senior students with an opportunity to become better informed about how Australia's Constitution provides a democratic framework and encourages them to take an active interest in the operation of government. The topic for the 2023 Convention is, ‘Constitutional Reform - Is section 128 still a necessary requirement to change such an important document as the Australian Constitution?’

Emeritus Professor John Warhurst AO will facilitate the convention where Jessica and Bohdi, along with other delegates, will spend two days exploring the topic. During the two days, students will hear from experts, debate the main issues relating to the topic and vote in a mock referendum conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission. The program includes the Prime Minister’s Welcome Reception at Parliament House, a meeting with the Governor-General, The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) at Government House and a dinner at the High Court of Australia.

Decisions made at the Convention will be incorporated into a Communiqué that will be forwarded to the President of the Senate, Senator Sue Lines and will then be tabled in Parliament.