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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25 Mar 2026
From Facebook
๐ Year 2 had a fin-tastic adventure last week ๐ Last week our Year 2 students headed off to the aquarium and what an incredible day it was. The excitement on their faces as they explored the underwater world was priceless. From colourful fish to curious sharks and playful sea creatures, there was so much to see and learn. ๐๐ The students asked amazing questions, shared their discoveries with friends and showed such wonderful curiosity the whole day. It was learning outside the classroom at its best and definitely a trip they will be talking about for a long time. ๐ A big thank you to the staff and families who helped make the day so special. #Year2Adventures #LearningBeyondTheClassroom #ExcursionDay #PrimarySchoolLife #SchoolMemories #HandsOnLearning #UnderTheSea #CuriousLearners #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool #HandsOnLearning #Grateful #PrimarySchoolMemories #SchoolCommunity #LearningTogether #Gratitude #MakingMemories #LittleLearners #SchoolLife #ExcursionFun #LearningOutsideTheClassroom
24 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Big Day. Big Energy. Big Inspiration โก๏ธ Our Year 6 leaders hit National Young Leaders Day today at the International Convention Centre Sydney ๐ From the moment the speakers took the stage, Catherine Lagaโaia, Jess Yates, Jacqui Bell and Nick Hudson, our students were hooked ๐ฅ Real stories, big challenges and powerful message. There was laughing, thinking, nodding alongโฆ and definitely some lightbulb moments ๐ก There were also plenty of chances for the students to have a boogie ๐บ๐ฝ๐๐ป Safe to say, weโve got a group of students coming back a little more inspired, a little more confidentโฆ and very ready to lead ๐ Weโre so proud of the way they showed up today, curious, respectful and soaking it all in ๐ #FutureLeaders #StudentVoice #LeadershipInAction #BigDreams #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
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25 Mar 2026
From Facebook
๐ Year 2 had a fin-tastic adventure last week ๐ Last week our Year 2 students headed off to the aquarium and what an incredible day it was. The excitement on their faces as they explored the underwater world was priceless. From colourful fish to curious sharks and playful sea creatures, there was so much to see and learn. ๐๐ The students asked amazing questions, shared their discoveries with friends and showed such wonderful curiosity the whole day. It was learning outside the classroom at its best and definitely a trip they will be talking about for a long time. ๐ A big thank you to the staff and families who helped make the day so special. #Year2Adventures #LearningBeyondTheClassroom #ExcursionDay #PrimarySchoolLife #SchoolMemories #HandsOnLearning #UnderTheSea #CuriousLearners #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool #HandsOnLearning #Grateful #PrimarySchoolMemories #SchoolCommunity #LearningTogether #Gratitude #MakingMemories #LittleLearners #SchoolLife #ExcursionFun #LearningOutsideTheClassroom
24 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Big Day. Big Energy. Big Inspiration โก๏ธ Our Year 6 leaders hit National Young Leaders Day today at the International Convention Centre Sydney ๐ From the moment the speakers took the stage, Catherine Lagaโaia, Jess Yates, Jacqui Bell and Nick Hudson, our students were hooked ๐ฅ Real stories, big challenges and powerful message. There was laughing, thinking, nodding alongโฆ and definitely some lightbulb moments ๐ก There were also plenty of chances for the students to have a boogie ๐บ๐ฝ๐๐ป Safe to say, weโve got a group of students coming back a little more inspired, a little more confidentโฆ and very ready to lead ๐ Weโre so proud of the way they showed up today, curious, respectful and soaking it all in ๐ #FutureLeaders #StudentVoice #LeadershipInAction #BigDreams #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
24 Mar 2026
700+ Unite for Project Compassion Big Water Walk
More than 700 students and staff from 23 schools across Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) came together for Caritas Australiaโs Big Water Walk in support of Project Compassion. Beginning at Parramatta Park, students carried buckets of water along a 4km route, gaining a glimpse of the daily journey faced by people in developing communities, especially women and children, in search of clean water.
23 Mar 2026
From Facebook
๐ง Walking with Purpose ๐ Our Kindy students took part in a beautiful Walk for Water experience today, stepping into the shoes of others around the world ๐ With smiles, determination and plenty of little footsteps, they carried water and reflected on how something so simple for us can be a daily challenge for others ๐งโจ A meaningful way for our youngest learners to grow in empathy, gratitude and faith this Lenten season ๐๐ #WalkForWater #Lent #FaithInAction #KindyKids #Gratitude #LittleStepsBigHearts #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool #Grateful #LearningTogether #MakingMemories #SchoolLife #LittleLearners #PrimarySchoolMemories #HandsOnLearning #ProudSchoolCommunity #SchoolCommunity #CatholicSchools
21 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Week 9. Please note: *On Monday that all students are to wear their sport uniform for our walk for water event. *We are celebrating Harmony Day on Friday. Students can wear a touch of orange or cultural dress.
20 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to these students who received awards this week!! ๐๐ผ *Some students who received awards are not pictured in these photos.
18 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Catching the Wind in Kindy! ๐ Our Kindy students have been busy getting creative as they designed and made their very own wind catchers as part of their Science unit! ๐จโจ Through hands-on exploration, they discovered how wind can move objects and bring them to life, watching their colourful creations dance and spin in the breeze ๐จ๐ So much curiosity, creativity and joy all in one activity. We love seeing our youngest learners exploring the world around them! ๐ #KindyFun #HandsOnLearning #ScienceInAction #CreativeKids #LearningThroughPlay #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
17 Mar 2026
From Facebook
๐ฟ๐พ Wild Learning Adventures! ๐พ๐ฟ Our Year 4 students had an roar-some day out at Sydney Zoo! ๐ฆโจ From getting up close with amazing animals to exploring habitats, food chains and ecosystems, the learning came to life in the best way possible ๐๐ Through hands-on activities, they discovered how living things depend on one another and how we can all play a part in caring for Godโs creation ๐๐ฑ What a fun and memorable day of learning together! #Year4 #SydneyZoo #LearningOutsideTheClassroom #ScienceInAction #Ecosystems #FutureStewards #HandsOnLearning #SchoolExcursion #CatholicEducation #CareForCreation #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
16 Mar 2026
From Facebook
๐ Question Time in Year 1! ๐ค Year 1 turned into curious researchers during Maths as they began collecting data for a class investigation! Armed with clipboards and big questions, students asked their classmates things like โWhatโs your favourite colour?โ ๐จ and โWhatโs your favourite drink?โ ๐ง There were lots of excited conversations, careful counting and plenty of giggles as they gathered everyoneโs answers. We canโt wait to see what their data reveals when we explore it further! ๐โจ #Year1Learning #MathsInAction #CuriousLearners #DataDetectives #LearningTogether #StudentAchievement #LittleLearners #PrimarySchoolMemories #SchoolLife #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
15 Mar 2026
From Facebook
๐ง Da Vinci Decathlon Success! ๐ A few weeks ago, we had the wonderful opportunity to send a Year 5 team and a Year 6 team to compete in the Da Vinci Decathlon as an extension opportunity for our students. It was a fantastic day of challenge, creativity and critical thinking, and our students represented our school with pride! โจ Our Year 5 team achieved an incredible 2nd place overall, with outstanding results across multiple disciplines: ๐ฅ 1st โ Legacy ๐ฅ 1st โ Code Breaking ๐ฅ 2nd โ Cartography ๐ฅ 2nd โ English ๐ฅ 3rd โ Science ๐ฅ 3rd โ Ideation Our Year 6 team also performed brilliantly, taking home: ๐จ Winners of the Tablecloth Decoration ๐ฅ 1st - Ideation ๐ฅ 2nd - Science Competitions like this encourage students to think deeply, collaborate, and apply their learning in creative ways. Our teams certainly rose to the challenge! ๐ A big thank you to Mrs Withford and Mrs Cassar for accompanying and supporting the students on the day. We are so proud of all the students involved! ๐ซ #DaVinciDecathlon #StudentAchievement #ExtensionLearning #FutureThinkers #ProudSchoolCommunity #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool #catholicschoolsweek