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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21 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Faith in Action ๐คโจ Yesterday, our staff stepped away from the classroom and into a day centred on what it truly means to live our mission. ๐ We began by celebrating Parish Mass before spending time with the wonderful residents at MacKillop House, sharing conversations, smiles and plenty of joy. ๐ก๐ Back at school, our staff rolled up their sleeves to pack essential items for Jesuit Social Services and prepare sandwiches for the Vinnies Van, putting faith into action through service to our wider community. ๐ฅช๐๏ธ We were also privileged to welcome Ana Pintos, who challenged and inspired us through her presentation, Being and Living Mercy: Godโs Mission, reminding us that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a lasting impact. โจ A meaningful day of prayer, service and reflection, as we continue striving to live out our school motto of Knowledge, Faith and Love every day. ๐๐ #StMichaelsBaulkhamHills #KnowledgeFaithLove #FaithInAction #LivingMercy #CatholicEducation #CatholicSchoolsParramatta #MissionInAction #ServingOthers #Community #VinniesVan #JesuitSocialServices #StaffDevelopment #MakingADifference #SchoolCommunity #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
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21 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Faith in Action ๐คโจ Yesterday, our staff stepped away from the classroom and into a day centred on what it truly means to live our mission. ๐ We began by celebrating Parish Mass before spending time with the wonderful residents at MacKillop House, sharing conversations, smiles and plenty of joy. ๐ก๐ Back at school, our staff rolled up their sleeves to pack essential items for Jesuit Social Services and prepare sandwiches for the Vinnies Van, putting faith into action through service to our wider community. ๐ฅช๐๏ธ We were also privileged to welcome Ana Pintos, who challenged and inspired us through her presentation, Being and Living Mercy: Godโs Mission, reminding us that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a lasting impact. โจ A meaningful day of prayer, service and reflection, as we continue striving to live out our school motto of Knowledge, Faith and Love every day. ๐๐ #StMichaelsBaulkhamHills #KnowledgeFaithLove #FaithInAction #LivingMercy #CatholicEducation #CatholicSchoolsParramatta #MissionInAction #ServingOthers #Community #VinniesVan #JesuitSocialServices #StaffDevelopment #MakingADifference #SchoolCommunity #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
17 Jul 2026
What's It Really Like to Send Your Kid to a Catholic School?
If you've ever assumed that attending a Catholic school means you have to be Catholic and that the fees are expensive, you're not alone. It's a common perception, but for many families, the reality looks quite different.
08 Jul 2026
CSPD students recognised in Refugee Week Creative Competition
Over 125 students from 10 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) schools have been recognised for their empathy and powerful storytelling as part of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Australia Refugee Week Creative Competition.
02 Jul 2026
From Facebook
โจ What a day! โจ A huge THANK YOU to our amazing students, staff, families and community for making todayโs Fame-a-thon one to remember! ๐ The energy, excitement and smiles were simply next level! Weโre still sorting through all the incredible moments, but hereโs a little sneak peekโฆ #FameAThon #ThankYou #SchoolCommunity #MakingMemories #StMichaelsMagic #MorePhotosComingSoon #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
29 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Year 6 Have a Headache?! ๐คฏ Donโt worryโฆ itโs all part of Maths! ๐โ๐ฒ Our Year 6 students took on the fast-paced game of โHeadacheโ, where quick thinking, lightning-fast mental maths and a little healthy competition had everyone on their toes! โก๐ง There may have been some dramatic reactionsโฆ but thatโs what happens when your brain is working overtime! ๐๐ Safe to say, this is one headache they were happy to have! ๐ #StMichaelsPrimary #SchoolLife #PrimarySchool #Year6 #Maths #MathsGames #MentalMaths #LearningThroughPlay #FutureLeaders #Education #ClassroomFun #LearningIsFun #StudentLife #TeachersOfInstagram #SchoolCommunity #HandsOnLearning #AustralianSchools #SydneySchools #KidsWhoLoveLearning #BrainPower #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
24 Jun 2026
From Facebook
๐ฅ๐ฅ KABOOM! What an unforgettable experience! ๐ถโจ Our students had an absolute blast during the Kaboom Percussion incursion, discovering that music can be made from just about anything! ๐ชฃ๐ต๐ท From the hilarious squeaky pig choir to bucket drumming, colourful boomwhackers and incredible 3D-printed drums, the energy was high and the smiles were endless from start to finish! ๐คฉ๐ A fun, interactive and hands-on experience that had our whole school engaged, laughing and making music together! ๐ถ๐ #StMichaelsPrimary #KaboomPercussion #HandsOnLearning #MusicMatters #CreativeKids #SchoolFun #LearningThroughMusic #SchoolLife #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
22 Jun 2026
From Facebook
๐๏ธ๐จ LAST CHANCE ALERT ๐จ๐๏ธ Tomorrow is the FINAL day to purchase your Ultimate Fan Pack! ๐๐ฅ Want to be as cool as Miss Marshall? ๐ Then this is your sign to get yours before itโs too late! ๐โโ๏ธ๐จ Donโt miss out on all the fun, spirit and epic goodies that will have you game-day ready! ๐๐๐ โฐ Orders close tomorrowโฆ no extensions, no excuses! ๐ #UltimateFanPack #BeCoolLikeMissMarshall #SchoolSpirit #StMichaels #GameDayReady #DontMissOut
21 Jun 2026
From Facebook
ICYMI - we are leaving orders open until Tuesday - make it a Fame-A-Thon to remember ๐
