[Students walking and gathering outside the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) at Old Parliament House]

Geoffrey O’Neill – NSCC Facilitator

The National School's Constitutional Convention commenced in 1995. 120 students from around Australia come every year to Canberra and debate the constitutional issue at hand.

Sofia – Student, James Ruse Agricultural High School

I was motivated to apply because of my personal belief that young people can really make a difference in the world and because of my passion for advocacy.

Emilia – Student, Jindabyne High School

The Convention seemed to me like an opportunity to meet like-minded people and grow as a person.

Cindy – Student, James Ruse Agricultural High School

I have a really big passion for civics. I run my school's politics club, and I really wanted to bring back any insight that I could get on the Constitution.

Pip – Student, Merewether High School

Although I've seen things on TV, being able to watch a debate in real life for Question Time, it really changed my perspective. It also gave me a different connection to those people in parliament.

Ricky – Student, The King’s School

I thought it'd be an amazing opportunity to not only see the law in practice, but also extend on my own knowledge.

Chloe – Student, Sylvania High School

I was motivated to apply by my amazing SRC coordinator and also my participation and interest in advocating change.

Samantha – Student, Loreto Normanhurst

I believe all young students should have an ability to give back to the community.

Melissa – Student, Penrith Anglican College

It's really important that young people are interested in democracy and seek to find change and do what's best for the country as they get older.

Sudeep – Student, St Luke’s Catholic College

I think the NSCC is a great example of showing the capacity young people have for inspiring change.

Neve – Student, Grafton High School

Coming from a regional town, there's not much opportunity to learn about our Constitution and our democracy. So being able to fully immerse myself into this experience and visit Parliament House for the first time has been really wonderful.

Bianca – Student, St George Girls High School

When I was thinking about government and parliament before I was thinking more of the MPs and the politicians, but now I can see how central the Constitution was.

Grace – Student, Davidson High School

Acknowledging the impact that the Constitution has, both on our everyday activities and life, but also on a really large extent, on the whole operation of our democratic system in Australia.

Erin – Student, Ambarvale High School

It helped me understand that the Constitution isn't just a document, but it's a major part of Australia's history and has really shaped the present and future.

Rianna – Student, Illawarra Sports High School

Seeing politics happen in real life and how politics can influence normal Australian people such as myself.

[Students voting in the referenda process with representatives from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)]

Al – Student, Peel High School

This experience has allowed me to deepen my critical thinking skills.

Liam – Student, Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School

To be able to listen and appreciate different perspectives from people from all different parts of life, different communities across Australia.

Alyssa – Student, Brigidine College St Ives

I've been enabled to be more confident in my speaking abilities, but also in networking.

Krisha – Student, The Ponds High School

This experience has been great. I was able to interact with other people and realise what it's like to be in an actual parliament.

Sommer – Student, Rutherford Technology High School

It has taught me to translate textbook understanding into real world conversations.

Grace

I've definitely developed an understanding of the political system and what roles are available in that area.

Rianna

I'm very interested to potentially pursue a career in constitutional law after seeing how constitutional law affects our everyday life.

Anna – Student, Marian Catholic College Griffith

This encouraged me to pursue my career in law and politics, becoming a prosecutor or a criminal defence lawyer, and potentially a politician later in my life.

Erin – Student, St Mary Star of the Sea College

As somebody who's always been interested in public life and in the law, it's really been an eye opener for me in seeing what those potential careers could look like and the skills that are needed for the environments that you work in.

Rhea – Student, Cherrybrook Technology High School

Opportunities like these allow people who are interested to get a taste of what they can do in a democracy and what they bring to the table. Because we're all stakeholders here, we all have something to say, and I feel like opportunities like these really help young Australians know what they're getting into and know how they can actually raise their voice.

Emilia

For teachers, I think it's most important for them to understand how achievable this is and how critical it is for our education.

Pip

It's been truly eye-opening.

Grace

Insightful.

Erin

Enlightening.

Krisha

Thrilling.

Sofia

Inspiring.

[Students gathering to pose for group photo holding certificates]

Sudeep

Passionate.

Liam

Incredible.

Sommer

Innovative.

Rhea

Wholesome.

Ricky

Transformative.

Melissa

Honourable.

Chloe

Critical.

Al

Mind-opening.

Neve

Amazing.

Bianca

Superb.

Anna

Empowering.

Brooke

Inspiring. A hundred percent. Inspiring.

[End of transcript]