Curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment > Across the curriculum >

Schools constitutional conventions

Since 1995, Education Queensland has organised Schools constitutional conventions for:

senior secondary students of humanities and the social sciences, and legal studies
students from the state, catholic and independent schooling sectors.

The conventions:

educate senior secondary students about the Australian Constitution and how it guides our democracy
include opportunities for students to listen to speakers presenting perspectives on a constitutional issue and to participate in debates and plebiscites
provide a mechanism to elect Queensland's team of delegates to the National convention - held in Canberra from 21-23 March 2012.

Nominate to attend the convention

Schools are invited to nominate a team of four senior secondary students to attend a convention. Students may nominate to attend one convention only.

Selecting Queensland delegates to the National convention

One student from each school team may seek election as a candidate to the National convention. Students may only nominate once as a candidate for election.

Students seeking election as a delegate to the National convention must deliver a speech 71k at the Queensland convention they attend. In 2012, the speech will address the topic: Should Australia become a republic? 94k

All Queensland students attending regional conventions listen to the candidates' speeches. An election conducted by officers from the Australian Electoral Commission will determine regional delegates to the National convention. (Students may only nominate once as a candidate for election.)

The Schools constitutional convention program 20k provides information about the activities students will participate in.

^ Top of page

Information sheet

2012 Regional conventions 103k

2012 nominations

Nominations close on 10 February 2012. However, schools have until 17 February to submit student nomination forms.

State schools - nominate online.

School 51k and student 41k nomination forms for catholic and independent schools.