Stage One Excursion 

Stage One students had a glimpse of schooling from the past when they visited the NSW Schoolhouse Museum on Wednesday, 30th October.  Students interacted with objects and artefacts, dressed up and experienced early school life. 

The NSW Schoolhouse Museum was the first building of North Ryde Public School. The original schoolroom was built in 1877 for 45 pupils with extra rooms built in 1893 and 1910. Housed in restored early schoolrooms, the museum collects and preserves objects relating to the history of public education in NSW. 

Stage One have shared some parts of the letters they wrote to 94 year old Molly Mathers who attended the school. 

Dear Molly Mathers, 

We really enjoyed the excursion and I loved exploring the old school and touching the old toys. First we did calligraphy writing with ink and slate boards. The ink pens were very annoying. Next, we played with the quoits, skipping rope and we did hoop bowling. We also played hand games. The next activity was in the 1910’s room and we used stamps to stamp on the booklet.  Sheena 2K

Dear Molly Mathers, 

Thank you for letting me come and visit the Schoolhouse Museum. It was so much fun and interesting. First we used ink pens to do calligraphy writing which was so much fun. Next we went outside to do skipping, bowling and play quoits. Lastly, we did maypole dancing, marching and exercises. Alyssa 2K 

Dear Molly, 

Guess what… we went to your old school and we saw all the resources you used in the past. The first activity we went to was the 1910 classroom and we saw the key that your brother stole. We also played the marble game and saw the old sewing machine and piano. 

Billy and Jordan 2P 

Dear Molly, 

We saw the old gas lanterns and we saw the secret key to the front door in your school. We found it in your brother’s cupboard. We also saw the paddock and played on there. We loved playing with the marbles and we liked racing hula hoops. We planned on visiting  you at home but thought you might be asleep. William and Tyler 2P