High School Competition

Join the 2023 competition now!

WSU School of Law invites high schools in Western Sydney to participate in the Kirby Cup Western Sydney University Competition in 2023

In 2023, the focus of this competition will be the proposed referendum to decide whether the Commonwealth Constitution should be amended to include a First Nations Voice to Parliament. Schools will be allowed to enter 2 teams of up to 4 students per team.  Teams will create an artefact on the theme of the First Nations Voice to Parliament. Each team may submit one entry. The entry may take any of the following forms:

• An essay
• A speech
• A short film
• A piece of creative writing
• An artwork
• A musical composition

Entries will be judged according to criteria developed by the Law School, and finalists will be selected to present their work to a panel of judges, and to explain how their work relates to the theme of the First Nations Voice to Parliament.

This competition is specifically designed for Year 10 and 11 high school students who may have aspirations towards a career in the law. However, it is not limited to those students enrolled in Legal Studies. Participation in the competition is free of charge.

Key Dates for 2023

Benefits to Students

This competition provides high school students with a unique opportunity to consider the way law interacts with society, and to participate in discussions about the proposed referendum to decide whether the Commonwealth Constitution should be amended to include a First Nations Voice to Parliament .  It provides them with a way to think independently and creatively about this issue, and to present their ideas in a variety of ways.

Support and Resources for Students and Teachers

Students are expected to work independently to develop their entries.  However, resources will be available to support students and teachers.

Competing teams will have access to a Western Sydney University website which contains:

• Stimulus material and readings on the competition
• competition guidelines for 2023, which will include guidelines relating to the format of each type of artefact, and how to submit entries;
• An online Q&A forum, which will enable students and teachers to ask questions and receive answers prior to the competition commencing.

For further information please email Dylan Conceicao, Professional Officer at engagement.law@westernsydney.edu