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
-
![563943395785443_1184162070430236-1]()
14 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Please remember there is a Staff Development Day tomorrow. No students will be on site, with the exception of the students attending Vacation Care at Ambrose![563943395785443_1183845623795214-1]()
14 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Mrs Hakim recently visited remote Indigenous communities near Broome, Western Australia, where children often play sport barefoot with little or no equipment. We are collecting outgrown/old: Sport Shoes Footy Boots Jerseys/ Sporting Gear Please send any items in good condition to Mrs Hakim at school. Your donations will be sent across the country to support the children in these communities.
Latest news More news
14 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Please remember there is a Staff Development Day tomorrow. No students will be on site, with the exception of the students attending Vacation Care at Ambrose
14 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Mrs Hakim recently visited remote Indigenous communities near Broome, Western Australia, where children often play sport barefoot with little or no equipment. We are collecting outgrown/old: Sport Shoes Footy Boots Jerseys/ Sporting Gear Please send any items in good condition to Mrs Hakim at school. Your donations will be sent across the country to support the children in these communities.
12 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Congratulations to all our students who received Gold and Silver awards. Also a big congratulations to Mia and Imogen for their sporting achievements, receiving 11 Years Girls Runner up Age Champion and Senior Girls Age Champion. Well done everyone! 👏🏼
11 Sep 2025
From Facebook
🌈 How to Be a Good Friend 🌈 Year 1 have been super busy learning all the secrets to friendship in the U R Strong program! 💬💛 From kind words to caring actions, they now know how to make friends feel happy, included and special 👫✨ Because being a good friend = the best kind of superpower! 🦸♂️🦸♀️ #URStrong #FriendshipSuperheroes #Year1Fun #KindnessCounts #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
09 Sep 2025
From Facebook
✨🌟 The Stage is Set! 🌟✨ Tonight’s the night! 🎭 Our much-anticipated school musical, Star Warts: The Umpire Strikes Back, hits the stage for its very first performance, with a second show tomorrow evening! 🚀🌌 From dazzling costumes to unforgettable characters, our students have been working so hard to bring this hilarious space adventure to life. Their energy, creativity, and teamwork will make you laugh, cheer, and maybe even hum along to a tune or two! 🎶🤩 A very special thank you goes to our incredible teachers, Mrs Parker, Mrs Breakwell, and Mr Ison 👏👏👏 whose vision, dedication, and endless encouragement have helped our students shine brighter than the stars themselves. 🌠 Opportunities like this are what make our school community so special 💙 giving students the chance to discover their talents, build confidence, and create memories that will last a lifetime. We can’t wait to see our audiences tonight and tomorrow. May the laughter (and the Force) be with you! ✨💫 #SchoolMusical #StarWarts #TheUmpireStrikesBack #TalentOnStage #Teamwork #Creativity #Community #StMichaels #BaulkhamHills #PrimarySchool #CSPD #CatholicSchool
07 Sep 2025
From Facebook
👔✨ Happy Father’s Day ✨👔 Today we celebrate all the wonderful dads, grandads, uncles, and father figures who fill our lives with love, wisdom, and laughter. 💙 From teaching life’s big lessons to sharing those little moments of joy, you are truly appreciated. We wish all our dads and father figures a blessed and joy-filled day surrounded by the people who love you most. 🌟 #HappyFathersDay #SchoolCommunity #FamilyLove #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
06 Sep 2025
From Facebook
👕✨ Jersey Day 2025 ✨👕 Who knew passing a hula hoop around could be such a team sport? 😂 Our staff linked hands, shuffled, wiggled and laughed their way through the Jersey Day challenge, proving that teamwork, connection and a good sense of humour go a long way! 💫🤝 It’s safe to say we’re better together… even if we get a little tangled along the way! 😉 It’s not just about the jerseys we wear, but the message of unity and care they represent 💛 #JerseyDay #Teamwork #SchoolSpirit #BetterTogether #StMichaels #BaulkhamHills #PrimarySchool #CSPD #CatholicSchool
04 Sep 2025
From Facebook
🦸♀️✨Teacher Aide Appreciation Week✨🦸♂️ Not all superheroes wear capes… some walk into classrooms with a smile, a helping hand, and a heart full of kindness 💛 Our Teacher Aides are the everyday heroes of our school, supporting learning, lifting spirits, and making sure every student feels seen and valued. We are beyond grateful for the superpowers you bring each day. Thank you for everything you do! 🌟 #TeacherAideAppreciationWeek #SuperheroesAmongUs #SchoolCommunity #Gratitude #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
03 Sep 2025
From Facebook
💖 Little People, Big Hearts 💖 On Tuesday at lunchtime, Kindergarten were invited to join the Little People, Big Hearts Club! 🌟 They learnt all about Mahatma Gandhi, a man so inspiring that he put his faith into action ✨ showing others how to use their faith for kindness and goodness. 🌏💫 #LittlePeopleBigHearts #Kindergarten #FaithInAction #Kindness #Inspiration #LearningTogether #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
03 Sep 2025
From Facebook
‼️Please note the following for our events happening this Friday 5/9 for our Father’s Day celebrations ‼️ BBQ Breakfast from 7.30 am – 8.45 am (P&F) Visitors stay in the area near the hall. Children are permitted to stay with their dads and participate in breakfast (P&F have purchased enough food for all). Fathers/grandfathers to visit the classrooms 8:45-9:30 am School Liturgy/ Assembly starts at 9.45-10:15 am Fathers/grandfathers leave the school after the school liturgy at 10.15 am