In Year Six, all students form an important part of our Student Parliament. Students voted into leadership roles become our Ministers. We have 9 Ministerial groups, including Health and Wellbeing, House, Art, Literacy, Maker (STEM Learning), Global Partnerships and Community. Our School Captains keep order during Parliament and play the role of Mr and Madam Speaker. Parliament meets 3 times a term in our school gym. It is expected that all ministers come prepared and if called upon, can present their portfolio of work, which includes what they have been working on, any bills that they would like passed, upcoming events and reflections on past initiatives. Year Six students who are not in a formal leadership role form our backbench and have a very important role during Student Parliament. Backbenchers must come prepared to debate bills that are scheduled for discussion and can ask questions of any Minister, backbencher, teacher, School Leadership representative, or visiting Members of Parliament during Question Time.
It is expected that each Ministerial group presents one bill each year, which if passed at Student Parliament (House of Representatives) is taken to the Senate, which is made up of elected Year Four & Five students. If a bill passes both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Year Six Ministers are expected to present their bill at School Council, which if passed, is signed off by our School Council President (Governor General) and is implemented at Canterbury Primary School.