Customised programs
In addition to its standard role-play program, the Parliamentary Education Office (PEO) regularly develops customised programs to match the experience, interests and needs of specific groups. Customised programs are arranged by negotiation with the PEO and can be delivered in both Australia’s Parliament House (APH) and in schools and institutions across Australia.
The exact nature of each program depends on individual requirements. We can develop customised programs for the following:
Role-play program in a primary school classroom
TAFE program
Talkback Classroom
ABC Heywire visit to Parliament House
Photo credit: Mark Graham
Mainstream student groups
The PEO takes parliamentary role-play programs to primary and secondary schools in all states and territories. Customised programs delivered across Australia offer students and teachers the opportunity to work with the PEO in their own environment. Customised programs can also be developed for mainstream student groups visiting APH.
Tertiary students
Programs can be developed with universities as well as technical and further education (TAFE) colleges, to satisfy individual course needs.
TAFE and ESL programs
The PEO TAFE program is a day or part-day program conducted in Australian TAFE colleges. It is particularly useful for students studying in a range of fields including English as a Second Language, community services, welfare and related fields. Indigenous groups and students returning to study will also find this program valuable.
The program centres on an experiential approach which brings alive the processes of parliamentary democracy. Using the role-play as a vehicle, students actively experience the:
- process of law-making
- role of a committee of inquiry in the scrutiny of legislation
- importance and value of being informed and involved
- practical application of this knowledge to their future work.
The program can be adapted to meet a range of students’ needs and timetable requirements.
Mature age groups
The PEO offers its Little Lunch Sitting program at APH for mature age groups. Participants have the opportunity to:
- Enjoy lunch in the Members and Guests Dining Room
- Meet their federal member or senator (if available)
- Participate in a parliamentary role-play
- Observe Question Time in action.
Special program groups
Throughout the year, the PEO develops customised programs at APH for special purpose events that explore the work of the parliament in greater depth. Programs include:
- National Youth Science Forum
- Talkback Classroom
- National History Challenge
- ABC Heywire
- National Constitutional Convention
- Rotary Adventures in Citizenship
- Tournament of Minds
- indigenous student groups
- international visitors
- Fellowships
For more information, or to arrange a customised program please contact the PEO by phone, email or fax.
Ph: 02 6277 3147 or 02 6277 3508
Fax: 02 6277 5775
Email: info@peo.gov.au