HISTORY teacher Lauren Barrie is on a quest to model what it means to be a “global citizen” to her students at Byford Secondary College by attending the trip of a lifetime.
The 22-year-old Victoria Park resident is one of eight young West Australians selected by the State Government to attend the Centenary of Armistice Tour in Europe next month.
The 10-day tour of the former battlefields in Belgium and France will also include a Remembrance Day ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux on November 11.
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READ NOWThe State-funded tour has been designed to bolster West Australians’ knowledge of the implications of the First World War and of the Armistice that signalled its end, while also gaining valuable insights into the meaning of mateship and the Anzac spirit.
Ms Barrie said the tour would provide an opportunity to build on her historical knowledge and bring back real-life experiences to the classroom.
“As a history teacher, the information and experiences I gain from this tour will be utilised in authentic ways in the classroom, providing students with engaging content and allowing me to model what it means to be a ‘global citizen’,” she said.
“It is incredibly important for young people to educate themselves about world history and the sacrifices generations before them made as it is still relevant to them today, and will continue to be relevant into the future.
“The impact of the legacy of World War I and the Armistice can still be felt today, and will continue to be felt into the future.”
Ms Barrie, who has never been to Belgium or France before, said she was most looking forward to stepping outside of her comfort zone and visiting the many battlefields on the Western Front.