Visit us at our House is a FREE interactive live scheduled program for years 5 & 6 students based on the History K–10 NSW Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum: Civics and Citizenship. Students learn about the development of democracy in the early colony of NSW, the levels of government and how the bicameral system of parliament works to make laws.

We asked John Lamzies and Sunaira Barkat – the Visit Us at Our House team – about their work with the Parliament of NSW.  Here’s what they told us:

John

What do you do at Parliament House?

I compere/teach the virtual excursion program Visit Us at Our House. I play the part of twin characters and explain through them how the NSW parliament works. One character is the waggish Sergent-at-Arms and the other a highbrowed Usher of the Black Rod.

What do you love about working at Parliament House?

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” This was written by Benjamin Franklin. It resonated with me and is a good description of my approach to education and learning. The Visit Us at Our House program provides me with the challenge of presenting the concept of ‘parliament’ in an unusual, engaging and enjoyable way. I believe this approach is a great way to help students retain knowledge about the NSW parliament.

What is your favourite part of the Visit Us at Our House video conferencing program?

The element of surprise and the unexpected goes a long way to keeping students focused. The program goes for an hour, but the students are totally unaware of its length. Just when they think they’ve seen it all, I pop up as another character (The Usher of the Black Rod) and the delight ensues. I get a kick out of it as much as they do, I think.

How would you describe Australia’s democracy in one sentence?

Literally: A government by the people in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system. I feel very, very fortunate living in Australia and engaging with this system of governance.

Sunaira 

What do you do at Parliament House?

I work as a Technical and Administrative Support Officer with the Communications, Engagement & Education team. I provide administrative support to the team. Part of my role is to run videoconference sessions for schools which includes set up and pack down and operating the system and a PowerPoint presentation on the computer that is also linked-up for the videoconferencing. I work closely with the presenter/actor in delivering the program.

What is your favourite part of the Visit Us at Our House video conferencing program?

My favourite part is the questions at the end of the program. We always have very intelligent and sometimes funny questions asked by the students.

How would you describe Australia’s democracy in one sentence?

Australia has a representative democracy with three levels of government that share the power and responsibility for their citizens.

Visit us at our House is a FREE interactive live scheduled program for years 5 & 6 students based on the History K–10 NSW Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum: Civics and Citizenship. Students learn about the development of democracy in the early colony of NSW, the levels of government and how the bicameral system of parliament works to make laws.

To book, search Visit Us at Our House at DART Learning

For assistance with booking, please call us on 9230 2047 or email [email protected]