Program overview

Fancy taking your students back in time?

This excursion offers an exploration of schooling and life in the 1800s. Come dressed for the occasion in period costume! Experience our 1878 classroom, along with stories and games from the past.

blackboard in the 1878 classroom
old school boat on classroom decking
Inquiry questions

Historical inquiry questions

  • What aspects of the past can you see today?
  • What do they tell us?
  • What remains of the past are important to the local community? Why?
  • How have changes in technology shaped our daily life?
Syllabus outcomes and content

Outcomes

  • Identifies and describes significant people, events, places and sites in the local community over time HT1-2
  • Describes the effects of changing technology on people’s lives over time HT1-3
  • Demonstrates skills of historical inquiry and communication HT1-4

Content

  • The history of a significant person, building, site or part of the natural environment in the local community and what it reveals about the past

  • The importance of an historical site of cultural or spiritual significance

  • The impact of changing technology on people’s lives

Cross Curriculum Priorities

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
  • Sustainability
Program activities
1

Inside the 1878 Classroom

Soak up the atmosphere of the crackling open fire, hand crafted sandstone walls, polished wooden desks, flickering oil lamps and the cane wielding teacher! Students experience what school life was like for students at the turn of the century. They participate in traditional lessons that include strict rules, learning by rote and writing with ink.

2

Barefoot Geoff

A story from the past. Engage your students in an exploration of Aboriginal and European history via the amazing adventures of Barefoot Geoff (a fictional ex-student and local boy).

3

The School Boat

Who, and how many students rowed across the Hawkesbury River to School? Students use primary and secondary sources to find out more about these students and this unique resource. Can you tie a knot for a boat?

Activity social story coming soon!
Recommended timetable

Sample of a 1 group program

For multiple groups/classes, the same activities are run on an alternating schedule

9:45

Welcome to Brewongle

Safety briefing

10:00 1878 classroom
11:00 RECESS
11:20 The school boat & games from the past
12:20 Barefoot Geoff
1:20 LUNCH
1:40 Reflection of activities / Wrap up / Toilets
2:00 Farewell
Worksheet and pre-excursion activities

There is no worksheet for this program

Pre-excursion activities

Stepping into our 1878 classroom gives your students an opportunity to experience schooling in the past. Understanding history requires us to examine a range of primary and secondary sources of information.

For some guidelines on analysing primary sources as well as photographs and prints, use these links:

Teacher information
Location Brewongle Environmental Education Centre, Sackville North
Transport

Buses are booked by the visiting school.

A map to the bus parking will be sent with the schools confirmation email. Please ensure you print the map and give to the bus driver the morning of the excursion.

Program costs Program costs
Student numbers

Maximum student numbers are 30 students per class - up to 3 classes per day

No minimum student numbers (instead possible minimum costs)

Supporting teachers and staff Minimum requirement is one teacher per attending class
Program start and finish times

Brewongle arrival time is 9:45 am - departure time is 2 pm

* discuss prior to your visit if you require alternate times

Medical and welfare notifications

Using the Brewongle medical and welfare form (sent with the confirmation email), inform Brewongle staff of any medical conditions or special requirements prior to the visit

This program can be adapted for teachers and students with specific mobility requirements

Adverse weather

Visit our visitor information page to view our weather trigger points for program changes

On days where the weather is unsuitable, a Brewongle staff member will contact the organising teacher to discuss alternative arrangements

Booking and cancellation policy requirements

Brewongle booking and cancellation policy

Student attendance numbers confirmed 7 days prior to visit

Cancellation fees may apply

Inclusive learning support Visit our inclusive education website for further excursion support materials

Booking enquiries

Get in touch to ask a question, plan a visit or find out more about what we offer