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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16 Dec 2025
From Facebook
π¦ Swimming Carnival Highlights π¦ What a fantastic day at our swimming carnival! βοΈπββοΈπββοΈ From incredible sportsmanship and cheering on friends to some amazing races, the energy poolside was unbeatable! One of todayβs standout moments? π Our teachers once again took out first place in the much-anticipated Teachers vs Students race! ππ The rivalry is alive and well! Weβre sharing just a few snapshots from a day full of fun, team spirit and school pride. Well done to everyone who took part! Especially all our new Year 2 students and even some superstar Year 1 students! ππ #SwimmingCarnival #SchoolSpirit #Teamwork #HousePride #TeachersVsStudents #SoMuchFun #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
15 Dec 2025
From Facebook
ππββοΈ A Busy and Joyful Time in Year One! πββοΈπ What a wonderful few weeks itβs been in Year One! β¨ From the excitement and cheeky surprises of Elf on the Shelf π π§ββοΈ to the fantastic effort shown during the swimming program, our students have been busy learning, laughing and growing every day. We are so proud of how confidently the children participated in swimming last week, building their skills, resilience and water safety awareness π¦π. Combined with all the festive fun and classroom learning, itβs been a truly memorable time for our Year One students! Well done Year One! ππ #YearOne #ElfOnTheShelf #SwimmingSuccess #LearningThroughFun #PrimarySchoolLife #ProudMoments #AustralianSchools #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
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16 Dec 2025
From Facebook
π¦ Swimming Carnival Highlights π¦ What a fantastic day at our swimming carnival! βοΈπββοΈπββοΈ From incredible sportsmanship and cheering on friends to some amazing races, the energy poolside was unbeatable! One of todayβs standout moments? π Our teachers once again took out first place in the much-anticipated Teachers vs Students race! ππ The rivalry is alive and well! Weβre sharing just a few snapshots from a day full of fun, team spirit and school pride. Well done to everyone who took part! Especially all our new Year 2 students and even some superstar Year 1 students! ππ #SwimmingCarnival #SchoolSpirit #Teamwork #HousePride #TeachersVsStudents #SoMuchFun #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
15 Dec 2025
From Facebook
ππββοΈ A Busy and Joyful Time in Year One! πββοΈπ What a wonderful few weeks itβs been in Year One! β¨ From the excitement and cheeky surprises of Elf on the Shelf π π§ββοΈ to the fantastic effort shown during the swimming program, our students have been busy learning, laughing and growing every day. We are so proud of how confidently the children participated in swimming last week, building their skills, resilience and water safety awareness π¦π. Combined with all the festive fun and classroom learning, itβs been a truly memorable time for our Year One students! Well done Year One! ππ #YearOne #ElfOnTheShelf #SwimmingSuccess #LearningThroughFun #PrimarySchoolLife #ProudMoments #AustralianSchools #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
14 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Our final round awards for the year. Well done to all of our spectacular boys and girls of St Michaelβs ππΌπ€©
10 Dec 2025
From Facebook
β¨ Meet Our 2026 School Leaders! β¨ Today we proudly announced our 2026 school captains, vice captains, sport captains and community leaders. What a special moment it was! Our current 2025 school and vice captains stood proudly alongside our newly appointed 2026 team for a wonderful handover photo, a snapshot of leadership, teamwork and school spirit all in one ππ We canβt wait to see the incredible things our 2026 leaders will achieve next year! π #SchoolLeaders #StudentLeadership #ProudMoment #FutureLeaders #OurSchoolCommunity #PrimarySchoolLife #LeadershipJourney #StMichaels #BaulkhamHills #PrimarySchool #CSPD #CatholicSchool
09 Dec 2025
From Facebook
πΆ Band Brilliance! πΆ Our talented musicians filled the hall with beautiful music and what a performance it was! π From flutes to clarinets and everything in between, our students played with confidence, teamwork and so much heart. πβ¨ Weβre incredibly proud of the dedication theyβve shown throughout the year, all those rehearsals, early mornings and countless practice sessions have truly paid off. πΌπ Well done to our wonderful band members for sharing their skills with the school and creating such a joyful atmosphere. We canβt wait to hear what you play next! πΊπ₯ #StMichaelsPrimary #BaulkhamHills #SchoolBand #YoungMusicians #MusicMatters #ProudSchool #PerformingArts #PrimarySchoolLife #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
08 Dec 2025
From Facebook
SESSION 2 - 2026 Parramatta Diocesan Team Sport Trials are OPEN! π’ OPEN NOW (Term 4, 2025): AFL - Boys & Girls Team Football (Soccer) - Boys & Girls Team Hockey - Boys & Girls Team Netball - Girls Team Rugby League - U12 Boys & Girls Team Rugby Union - Boys Team Softball - Boys & Girls Team Touch Football - Boys & Girls Team Please note: Basketball, Cricket, and Tennis nominations are closed. π’ OPENING Monday 1st December 2025: βοΈWho Can Nominate? Years 5 & 6 (2026): Eligible to nominate for all sports when they open. Year 4 (2026): Eligible to nominate for Hockey, Softball & Touch Football only. Eligibility & Requirements β Trials are for students who can demonstrate: - Above average ability - High level of skill development - Representative playing experience applicable for some sports - Regular competition experience outside of school (preferred) β To be eligible: The 2026 CSPD Primary Sport TEAM Registration Form must be completed. One form per child, per sport. - Schools must approve nominations based on history and criteria. - All fields must be completed, especially Representative Experience where relevant. - No student will be eligible to trial without a completed and school-approved form submitted by the closing date. π Nominate here: https://forms.gle/m9VAF8e4M5KcihfEA Closing Date: AFL - Monday 2nd February, 2026 (Trials 17 February) Other Sports - Friday 6th February, 2026 Any Questions? Please contact your school sports coordinator.
07 Dec 2025
From Facebook
STEM Showcase Celebration! β¨ Our budding innovators have spent the whole year designing, building and problem-solvingβ¦ and on Friday, they finally had the chance to share their amazing STEM projects with the rest of the school! π€©π οΈπ‘ We are so proud of the effort, creativity and curiosity our students have poured into their work. From clever concepts to standout designs, they truly shone today. π We canβt wait to see what brilliant ideas next year brings! ππ #STEMShowcase #StudentInnovation #FutureCreators #STEMEducation #InspiringLearners #PrimarySchoolLife #ProudSchoolCommunity #LearningThroughDiscovery #StMichaels #BaulkhamHills #PrimarySchool #CSPD #CatholicSchool
06 Dec 2025
From Facebook
πΆ Warming Up for a Magical Night πΆ Our school choir is all smiles and soaring notes as they warm up for the St Michaelβs Parish Carols tonight! β¨π The students have been practising beautifully and are ready to share the joy of music with our community. π€π We canβt wait to hear their angelic voices fill the hall! ππΆ #SchoolChoir #ParishCarols #ChristmasSpirit #InspiringKnowledgeFaithLove #ProudSchoolCommunity #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
05 Dec 2025
From Facebook
π Celebrating Term Achievements! π A huge congratulations to our Student of the Term and Citizen of the Term award recipients! πβ¨ These amazing students have shown kindness, dedication and a wonderful commitment to our school values. We are so proud of you! ππ #ProudSchool #StudentOfTheTerm #CitizenOfTheTerm #SchoolSpirit #InspiringKnowledgeFaithAndLove #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool
04 Dec 2025
From Facebook
π₯ Throwback to Our Kindy Chick Adventures! π£ Weβre taking a sweet little trip down memory lane todayβ¦ back to the moment Kindy welcomed their fluffy baby chickens! ππ€ The smiles, the gentle cuddles, the tiny peeps. It was pure magic watching our students care for these adorable newcomers. β¨ Such a beautiful reminder of how much we learn when we nurture, explore and discover together! πΌ #KindyLife #BabyChicks #SchoolDays #PrimarySchoolFun #LearningIsFun #AustralianSchools #ThrowbackThursday #SchoolCommunity #InspiringKnowledgeFaithLove #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool