Catalyst • Junior Secondary Curriculum • Handbook 2021
Action
Project Year 9
Power Play (Civics and Citizenship)
The public loves to hate them, but there is no
denying that the power plays in Australian politics
shape our everyday life.
In this Action Project, students will learn about the
history and alternatives to democracy. They will
develop a democratic process, modelled on the
Australian democratic system, concluding with a
full mock election based on the platform promoted
by their own political party. Students will develop
policies, create an innovative campaign and slogan,
write a policy platform speech and deliver it before
their peers. Through this project, students will explore
the current Australian political landscape, discovering
the good, the bad and the ugly side of politics.
Additionally, students will scrutinise past electoral
campaigns of key political figures and parties to
identify persuasive tactics and the nature of the
media machine to gain voters support. These
components will combine to drive the students’
electoral campaign, culminating in a class election.
Through this project, students will:
• Develop their confidence and public speaking skills
• Identify persuasive language and bias in texts
• Discuss concepts of democracy and democratic
values
• Describe issues of justice
• Explain their rights and responsibilities as a
member of Australian society.
Action
Project Year 9
The Guildford ANZAC (History)
Nearly fifty Old Guildfordians died in the First
World War, while many others fought for their
country in the War to End all Wars. Countless young
men were killed or wounded, creating a legacy
of service and sacrifice for future generations of
students at the School.
In this Action Project, students will pay tribute to their
Old Guildfordian brothers who fought 100 years ago
as recognition of their service. They will study the
life of a soldier from Guildford Grammar School that
fought in the First World War and place his life into
its historical context.
Students will use the resources of the Guildford
Grammar School Archives, the Australian War
Memorial and the Internet to discover more about
every aspect of the life of this soldier: his family,
community, school, wartime service, unit and the
circumstances of his death. They will also study the
major battles and engagements in which the soldier
fought and comment on the significance of the
soldier and his service.
Lest We Forget.
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