09 Jun 2017
BRADDOCK PUBLIC SCHOOL
History Fair
8 June 2017
Students and their families at Braddock Public School were excited to participate in their first history fair on Wednesday 7 June. The idea of the event is for students to develop their inquiry learning skills by asking questions of the visiting experts. Students had an opportunity to view and touch original historical artefacts and achieve deeper knowledge of Australian history in a very hands-on, interactive and authentic manner.
Special guests to the school included Emma Husar MP who spoke to students about local, state and federal government, Aboriginal rights, women's rights and immigration rights. Penrith City Library historians who bought along incredible pictures of the local area and discussed alternative sources of information, the library's role in preserving and researching the past and the images and records presented.
A favourite with many of the students was the 1929 A Model Ford bought in by Charlie and his wife Helen, members of the A Model Ford club. The unexpected wet weather could not dampen the excitement and wonder experienced by the children when they saw the car. Those who were permitted to sit in the car will never forget the day.
Nepean District History Society and Nepean Archaeological Society bought along amazing artefacts, an old phone, kettle, horse shoe, bricks, crockery and other evidence of the past. The students were both fascinated and engaged as they were shown these pieces and asked their questions.
The fun didn't stop there, with staff who have been at the school for many years discussing the history of the school and the local area. Mrs Bruce from a neighbouring school was an original teacher of Braddock and attended the fair on her day off to ensure the children were well informed of the earliest history of the school and the area. Mr and Mrs Scanlin represented the perspectives of people who had migrated to Australia many years ago discussing how life was different in their home countries and how it has changed here in Australia. Other teachers reviewed old images of the school and discussed how things had changed, they ran Aboriginal and historical games and created history with an art project as part of Braddock's creative art focus.
To top it all off Aunty Jacinta Tobin opened the fair with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony representing a new beginning for the school and their relationship with Darug land. The school participated in cultural workshops, songs and yarning circles about traditional Aboriginal ways of living and she closed the fair with a whole school singalong that left the kids thinking they were at a rock concert.
School principal Ms Drage said "It is wonderful to bring history alive for our students and to see them so engaged, asking questions, displaying curiosity and excitement, all the while learning. We appreciate all of the organisations who volunteered their time to come and share their experience and expertise with our wonderful students"
All the visitors indicated they would love to come back to work with the school in the future and that they would be pleased if other local schools invited them to share their knowledge and love of history. What a wonderful way to learn about our history whilst making it at the same time!