Experiment Farm Cottage in Harris Park and Old Government House in Parramatta were the destinations for a recent Year 4 excursion.
The aim of this excursion was to explore the nature and consequence of European settlement in Australia. The children had the opportunity to explore and engage with primary and secondary artefacts to support their learning and understanding.
Learning was different in colonial Australia.
Gabbi shared about the differences in the early classrooms.
In Mrs Johnson’s classroom in Old Government House, we had to use slates and write with chalk. We had to learn everything by repeating the words the teacher announced in order to learn the spelling off by heart. We also learnt writing and mathematics. Children could not eat at all! They had to be there from Monday to Saturday because the entire colony attended Church on Sunday.
At Experiment Farm, Alessio was surprised how much effort went into food preparation.
'We were shown how hard it was to make food in the past. We learnt how they made different things like butter, toast and other foods. By the time the servants were finished making and serving breakfast for their master and mistress, it was time to start getting lunch ready.
Experiment Farm Cottage and Old Government House provide “living history” for children and adults. “I would recommend people visit these places so that they can learn more about the history of Australia”, said Isaac.
St Michael's Catholic Primary Baulkham Hills
www.stmichaelsbhills.catholic.edu.au
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24 Feb 2026
From Facebook
๐ AFL Fun at School! ๐ What a fantastic day on the field as the team from the AFL ran an exciting clinic for our Year 1-6 students! ๐ From perfecting handballs to practising their kicks and teamwork skills, our students showed great enthusiasm, sportsmanship and plenty of big smiles! ๐๐ It was wonderful to see everyone having a go and building confidence through movement and play. A huge thank you to the AFL coaches for bringing the energy and fun to our school! ๐๐ #AFLClinic #PrimarySport #ActiveLearners #SchoolFun #Teamwork #NSWPrimarySchools #StMichaels #BaulkhamHills #PrimarySchool #CSPD #CatholicSchool
23 Feb 2026
From Facebook
On Mondays, we buddy lunch. ๐ On Mondays, our students come together for Buddy Lunch, sharing food, laughter and beautiful conversations across year levels. Itโs such a special time to see friendships growing, older students caring for younger ones, and our school community shining through simple moments of connection. Because here, Mondays arenโt just for lunchโฆ theyโre for belonging. ๐ซ #BuddyLunch #SchoolCommunity #StudentConnections #PrimarySchoolLife #MakingMemories #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
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24 Feb 2026
From Facebook
๐ AFL Fun at School! ๐ What a fantastic day on the field as the team from the AFL ran an exciting clinic for our Year 1-6 students! ๐ From perfecting handballs to practising their kicks and teamwork skills, our students showed great enthusiasm, sportsmanship and plenty of big smiles! ๐๐ It was wonderful to see everyone having a go and building confidence through movement and play. A huge thank you to the AFL coaches for bringing the energy and fun to our school! ๐๐ #AFLClinic #PrimarySport #ActiveLearners #SchoolFun #Teamwork #NSWPrimarySchools #StMichaels #BaulkhamHills #PrimarySchool #CSPD #CatholicSchool
23 Feb 2026
From Facebook
On Mondays, we buddy lunch. ๐ On Mondays, our students come together for Buddy Lunch, sharing food, laughter and beautiful conversations across year levels. Itโs such a special time to see friendships growing, older students caring for younger ones, and our school community shining through simple moments of connection. Because here, Mondays arenโt just for lunchโฆ theyโre for belonging. ๐ซ #BuddyLunch #SchoolCommunity #StudentConnections #PrimarySchoolLife #MakingMemories #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
18 Feb 2026
From Facebook
Ash Wednesday โ๏ธ๐๏ธ Today we gathered as a school community to begin the season of Lent. Our K-2 students participated reverently in a liturgy, while Years 3-6 attended Mass and received ashes, marking this sacred time of prayer, reflection and renewal. It was beautiful to see our students begin Lent with such respect and reverence. ๐ค Thank you to the parents who joined us in prayer. Your presence and prayerful support mean so much to our school community. ๐ค And to our wonderful altar servers for serving so confidently and faithfully. ๐ May this Lenten season be one of growth, reflection and grace for all. #AshWednesday #Lent2026 #GrowingInFaith #CatholicEducation #SchoolCommunity #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
17 Feb 2026
From Facebook
๐ฅโจ Shrove Tuesday Celebrations โจ๐ฅ Today our school community marked Shrove Tuesday with smiles, syrup and a very special reminder of what this day truly means. ๐ Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday. Pancakes became a symbol of the day as families used up rich ingredients like eggs, milk and sugar before the simpler meals of Lent began. ๐ฅโจ Today, our students were delighted to receive pancakes to commemorate this important day. A joyful tradition that connects us to our faith and reminds us to prepare our hearts for the Lenten journey ahead. It was beautiful to see our community come together in both celebration and reflection as we look towards this sacred season. ๐โ๏ธ #ShroveTuesday #LentJourney #CatholicEducation #FaithInAction #SchoolCommunity #PreparingOurHearts #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool #PrimarySchoolLife #SchoolLife #ProudMoments #SchoolCommunity #LittleLearners #MomentsThatMatter #GrowingTogether #LearningJourney #CatholicEducation #Lent2026
16 Feb 2026
From Facebook
Big Buddies, Little Buddies ๐ค๐ Today our Year 6 and Kindergarten buddies met for the first time and oh my goodnessโฆ what a beautiful moment it was! ๐ฅนโจ There were big smiles, little hands held tightly, and so much excitement buzzing around the playground. Our Year 6 students showed such kindness, care and leadership as they embraced their new role ๐ For our Kindergarten students, there was pure joy in meeting their โbig buddyโ a new friend to look up to, learn from and share special moments with throughout the year. ๐ We can already tell this is going to be a year filled with connection, confidence and lots of heartwarming memories. Note - students pictured are from Red and Green classes. #Year6Leaders #KindyBuddies #BuddyProgram #StudentLeadership #SchoolCommunity #PrimarySchoolLife #MomentsThatMatter #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool #WelcomeToTheGroup #SchoolLife #LearningJourney #SettlingIn #LittleLearners #GrowingTogether #SchoolCommunity #ProudMoments #SmilesAllRound #SoMuchJoy #StudentLeaders #SpecialMoments
15 Feb 2026
From Facebook
Project Compassion Launch ๐โจ Last Thursday, Mrs Abraham had the wonderful opportunity to take a group of our students to the Project Compassion launch, preparing our hearts for the beginning of the Lenten season this Wednesday. ๐ฟโ๏ธ It was a meaningful experience for our students as they learnt more about how they can make a difference through compassion, generosity and service to others. They represented our school with pride, reverence and maturity, embracing the true spirit of Lent. ๐ As we journey towards Easter, we look forward to supporting Project Compassion as a school community and living out our faith through action. #ProjectCompassion #Lent2026 #FaithInAction #CatholicEducation #LivingOurValues #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #CSPD #CatholicSchool #BaulkhamHills
12 Feb 2026
From Facebook
Welcoming Mass Celebrating Our 2026 Leaders ๐โจ Today we gathered as a whole school community for our beautiful Welcoming School Mass ๐ It was such a special way to begin the year together. United in faith, hope and excitement for all that 2026 will bring. A highlight of the Mass was the recognition of our incredible Year 6 Leaders ๐ Each student was formally presented with their leadership badge, a proud and meaningful moment as they step into their roles as the new leaders of our school. These badges represent responsibility, service, kindness and the example they will set for our younger students each day. We are so proud of the way our Year 6 students embraced this moment with reverence and maturity. We know they will lead with courage, compassion and integrity throughout the year ahead ๐ซ A special thank you also to our two wonderful altar servers, who served with such respect and confidence at todayโs Mass โ๏ธ We are so proud of the way our students step forward to serve our community in so many ways. Congratulations to our 2026 Leaders! We canโt wait to see you shine! #WelcomingMass #Year6Leaders #StudentLeadership #FaithInAction #ProudSchoolCommunity #LeadingWithHeart #PrimarySchoolLife #CatholicEducation #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
10 Feb 2026
From Facebook
๐ฅ Welcome to the Beat! ๐ชฃ๐ถ Our bucket drumming group has been growing, with some new faces jumping in and giving it a go ๐โจ Itโs been wonderful to see students learning the rhythms, working together and having fun as they find their groove ๐ฅ๐ So much confidence, teamwork and joy captured in these moments! #BucketDrumming #WelcomeToTheGroup #MusicInSchools #CreativeLearning #LearningThroughRhythm #StudentConfidence #Teamwork #PrimarySchoolLife #SchoolCommunity #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool