June 2026
The final weeks of school term have seen students across South Australia actively engaging in civics and democracy education through hands-on experiences, mock elections, and visits to Parliament House.
This term’s mock elections brought a fun and relatable theme – takeaway dinner – helping primary students explore democratic processes in an engaging way.
At Xavier College, Year 5 students cast their votes across two separate elections, with differing results reflecting the diversity of opinions within the cohort.
Burgers triumphed over Indian curry in the first contest, while chicken and chips emerged victorious over burgers in the second.
Meanwhile, at St Raphael’s School in Parkside, Year 5 students showed a strong preference for Indian curry, which secured a win against the margherita pizza in their election.
Senior students also demonstrated their growing understanding of democratic systems.
At Springbank College, Year 8 students took part in a comprehensive election program, forming an impressive 17 political parties.
Many campaigns centred on school improvement initiatives, giving students the opportunity to connect democratic principles with issues relevant to their daily lives.
The closely contested election was ultimately won by The Cheap Eats Elite Party.
Beyond the classroom, students from Birdwood, Gladstone and Riverton primary schools participated in the Civics in the City program at Parliament House. The experience provided students with a deeper understanding of how democratic institutions operate in practice and highlighted the importance of active citizenship.
These programs continue to build students’ knowledge, confidence and enthusiasm for participating in democracy, empowering them to understand their role in shaping their communities now and into the future.
We look forward to meeting you in the classroom soon!
Paula
Electoral Education Centre