There’s been a long standing debate as to whether we need a new Australian Flag, and the time around Australia Day is a good time to review this in your classroom. A number of good designs have been prepared over the years, with the Flag Society of Australia having a great collection of them on their web site, along with some of the key arguments both for keeping the existing flag and replacing it with a new one.

Go check out the page - “Should Australia have a new flag?” and use it with your class to spark a debate, to design some new flags, write a letter to the editor or a persuasive essay related to the topic.

A study conducted in 1999 showed that students “regard knowing the country’s history … as relatively unimportant” (DEEWR, 2001). So, when you discuss the importance of Australia Day, which resulted in public schools across Australia going back on a Tuesday this year instead of a Monday, make sure that it’s interesting and relevant to your students. Penny’s got some fast facts and more info over at her blog. Hopefully you don’t have any students in your classroom who think that it’s just “a day off to watch cricket”. 

Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas in the comments.