National Schools Constitutional Convention
Date: 19 - 21 March 2024 (Travel day: 18 March)
Location: Canberra
Student Expression of Interest for Victorian students NOW OPEN!!!
Victorian students are invited to submit an Expression of Interest to participate in the Australian Government Department of Education (DOE) National Schools Constitutional Convention (NSCC) 2024. The Convention is supported by the Department of Education, Victoria (DE).
The NSCC is one of the major components of the Australian Government Civics and Citizenship Education (CCE) program. The NSCC is an annual peak event exploring the Australian Constitution for senior school students in Years 11 and 12. A total of 25 students will be selected to attend from Victoria.
The Convention will be held on 19 - 21 March 2024 (flying in on 18 March) in Canberra at the Museum of Australian Democracy, with accommodation at the Pavilion on Northbourne Hotel. Costs associated with flights, accommodation and catering are covered by DOE. The supervision of students by selected state chaperones will be coordinated by National Curriculum Services. All accompanying chaperones will have Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) registration and Working with Children Check (WWCC).
Students must be enrolled in Year 11 or 12 in 2024 to be eligible to apply.
To apply, please submit the completed and signed Expression of Interest form by 5:00pm Monday 30 October 2023 to candy.chan@ncsonline.com.au.
Download the Expression of Interest Form: NSCC 2024 Student EoI Form (VIC).docx
(Note: Applications only open to students in Year 11 or 12 in 2024. Closing date: Monday 30 October 2023)
Date: 21 - 23 March 2023
Location: Canberra
The National Schools Constitutional Convention (NSCC) is one of the major components of the Australian Government Civics and Citizenship Education (CCE) program. The NSCC is an annual peak event exploring the Australian Constitution for senior school students in Years 11 and 12. A total of 120 students will be selected nation-wide each year to attend.
The program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education (DOE), coordinated by National Curriculum Services (NCS) and supported by the Department of Education from all states and territories. Costs associated with flights, accommodation and catering are covered by DOE. The supervision of students will be coordinated by National Curriculum Services and supported by the Department of Education from all states and territories. All accompanying supervisors are registered teachers and/or possess valid working with children checks (or equivalent).
The 28th National Schools Constitutional Convention (NSCC) was held on 21 – 23 March 2023 in Canberra with 115 delegates plus their accompanying supervisors in attendance.
The topic, “Constitutional Reform: Is section 128 still a necessary requirement to change such an important document as the Australian Constitution?” was engaging for students, with valuable inputs from expert speakers:
- Professor Kim Rubenstein, University of Canberra
- Fr Frank Brennan SJ (AO) Adjunct Professor, Newman College, University of Melbourne
- Professor Peter Anderson, Walpiri and Muinpatha Nations Northern Territory, Queensland University of Technology
- Dr Andrew Banfield, Parliamentary Library, Canberra
The Convention again had the experienced facilitation of Emeritus Professor John Warhurst AO.
The opening of the Convention was undertaken by Senator the Hon. Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Education and Senator Andrew McLachlan CSC, Deputy President of the Senate also attended the Convention on Day 2 to address the student delegates.
A copy of the Communiqué was forwarded to Senator Sue Lines, President of the Senate who will present the Convention Communiqué to the Parliament for incorporation into Hansard. It contains a full record of the Convention, which the delegates agreed upon in the final session of the Convention.
A copy of the Communiqué can be downloaded here: NSCC 2023 Communique_FINAL.pdf
Final Program for NSCC 2023: 2023 - NSCC Program_FINAL.pdf
For more information, please email registrations@ncsonline.com.au or call NCS on (03) 9415 1299.
The Australian Government Department of Education funds this program.