Grade 5/6 Online Civics and Citizenship activities
The Australian Nation
Signatures of OZ Learn some simple facts about some of Australia’s parliamentary past people, places, events and objects that have had a lasting impact on Australia’s system of Parliamentary Democracy. Students read each of the postcards and put a stamp on each postcard ensuring that the stamp dates are correct. Links to teaching and learning material. Online interactive requires Flash plugin. (Parliamentary Education Office, Parliament of Australia)
Citizens and Public Life
Parliament House - Our House Parliament House is a meeting place for Australians contributing to the democratic process. Meet the various groups who work at Australia’s Parliament House – explore the roles and responsibilities of the various groups. Links to teaching and learning material. Online interactive requires Flash plugin. (Parliamentary Education Office, Parliament of Australia)
The Parliamentary Quiz Feeling clever? Well, this game will test you! Who was Australia's first indigenous parliamentarian? Where did our first federal Parliament meet? Take a quiz (or six!) and see how much you know about our Parliament—past and present—and the people and events that have shaped it. Links to teaching and learning material. Online interactive requires Flash plugin. (Parliamentary Education Office, Parliament of Australia)
Congratulations to the Junior Secondary chess team on their excellent performance achieving silver at the Ballarat tournament on Friday 31st July. By doing so, they have qualified to enter five players in the State Finals on 26th October at Monash University, Melbourne.
The individual efforts were outstanding. Every player in our team improved their skillsduring the day. Our players were Darcy Phillips, Aaron Camm, Pasquale, Alexandra and Marcella Gambuti, CecilyHendrickson, Jake Pearson, John Dalton and Corey Wilson.
Alexandra Gambuti also won thedistinction of best female player on the day.
THE SQUAD
These achievements do not occur in a vacuum. With the entire squad and parental support, our best players are able to achieve their best and other students get the opportunity to improve and prove their ability to enter the teamselected.
Chess is also an effective tool for developing critical thinking skills, including spatial problem solving, strategic thinking, pattern recognition, logic and personal resilience.
In 2009, the MEC continues with its Chess/Numeracy program in the Primary School, with specialist teachingconducted by Mr. Harry Poulton. In the Secondary School, this program has been extended to Year 7. For my part,
I was attracted to teaching at MEC due to this program. For seven years in the 1990s, I was involved with the South Australian Junior Chess League as a coach, organiser and arbiter (umpire).Mr. Anderson
Students at Maryborough Education Centre are fast becoming very proficient chess players.
In semester one, students in years three-six have had tuition in this game of strategy from teacher and chess expert Harry Poulton.
The level of interest of even the youngest students has been astonishing and their skills acquisition has been most impressive.
Many students have displayed excellent organisation and planning skills in a short space of time and their enthusiasm for the game has been sustained.
Chess builds resilience and supports students in important learning areas such as Mathematics and Wellbeing.
Thanks to the parents club, the school has recently acquired two large chess set which are in great demand as a playground activity.
Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that a son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.
CHESS AT MEC 
Students at Maryborough Education Centre are fast becoming very proficient chess players.
The level of interest of even the youngest students has been astonishing and their skills acquisition has been most impressive.
Many students have displayed excellent organisation and planning skills in a short space of time and their enthusiasm for the game has been sustained. 
