Hands on learning experience

World War 1 artefacts

On 4 June, our Year 9 History students were visited by Paul Martin, an expert on Australian Military History, and his extensive collection of World War I artefacts. Students received a unique hands-on learning experience; handling grenades, wearing WW1 uniforms and helmets, and examining periscope rifles whilst learning about the nature and conditions of trench warfare.

Students engaged respectfully and attentively with Paul Martin’s discussion on barbed wire, gas attacks and how trenches communicated. Notably, Paul also left Cecil Hills with some new knowledge of his own as one of our talented students was able to translate the Turkish writing on a bayonet for him. Overall, the questions and interest shown by Year 9 was excellent, indicative of a growing passion for Australian history.

Oliver Hillsmith, Year 9 History teacher