Reflections of Semester 1

Ayers House and Old Treasury Tunnels

Piper & Mia: Ayers House was a very enjoyable excursion, as we got to see inside the rooms that they used to live in and all the appliances they had to use in the 1800’s. The Old Treasury was an amazing site to see, we got to explore the Premier’s old office. Although the Old Treasury was interesting, it could have been a little more exciting, if they had more interactive & visual learning experiences. 

Jack A:  I really enjoyed the Ayers House experience, as we got to see what it was like to live in a mansion in 1876. I actually really enjoyed the experience of ballroom dancing as well. Getting to see all of the old types of ways to enjoy yourself back in those days.

Noah: I really enjoyed Ayers House, because I got to see what it was like living in 1876. It was a great experience to dance with someone that I did not know that well. My favourite bit was seeing the games compendium and what they used as entertainment back then. I recommend anyone to go there.

Juliette: I really enjoyed the dancing at Ayers House and learning about the toys that children played with in the past. I enjoyed reading the poem with Patrick. I also enjoyed going through the tunnels at the old treasury.

Annie: I enjoyed going to the nursery at Ayers House because I could see and play with the toys that children had in the past. I also enjoyed pretending that we were living back in 1876.

Ella: The 2019 Ayers House excursion was very enjoyable. We went to the Adina Hotel and to Ayers House. The Adina Hotel was very interesting because we saw the old remains of one of the buildings and old tunnel’s used in the late 1850s to the early 1900s. Ayers House was better, I think it was because we got to learn a dance that kids used to do back then, and we got to have a tour of the house that Sir Henry, Lady Anne, and their 6 kids lived in. Their house was very big and filled with rooms like a meat hanger and a worker's room. If any family or students have the opportunity to go I would highly recommend it.

Danilo: I enjoyed the excursion. The thing I enjoyed most is the old wall that still exists. I really enjoyed Ayers House because I was lucky enough to knock on the door and come into the house. I would do this excursion again. I really enjoyed it.

Alexi:  Ayers House was super fun and enjoyable. Some of my highlights were when we went into the tunnels in Adina hotel. I liked it because we got to see all the artwork and also learned a lot about the history of the tunnels. When we went to Ayers House we had to do some dancing, after dancing they showed us around the house. I would recommend to go to Ayers House.

Francois: I liked the Old Tunnel Tour underground and seeing different pictures. The tour of Ayers House was also good because it looked cool and old fashioned. I would recommend that other people should go so they can learn more about Ayers House.

Nicolah: I enjoyed the Ayers House and Old Tunnel Tour because it was an experience of the 1800's.  I recommend that other people go so they can learn about the Gold Rush.

Sovereign Hill Camp

Student Reflections

Amelia - "Camp was really enjoyable as it was interactive. It was fun gold panning even though I kept losing the gold. My favourite part was the train ride because we got to move around to see all of our friends."

Acacia - "I loved camp because it was fun, educational, interesting and a good experience. I loved seeing what it would be like to live in the gold rush era.I had fun with my friends and made some good memories and I didn't want to leave."

Melanie - "I enjoyed the Aura show as we watched three things and the last was the most exciting as it had noises and effects.I also enjoyed going through the streets watching the winter wonder lights.One thing I found interesting was how different the school was from now."

Jaimann - "I enjoyed the trip to Ballarat because we got to experience the Aura where we watched a live movie about the history of Ballarat. We also got to experience how pure gold was made and we went to the theatre to watch a short Beauty and the beast mix with pirate movie."

Grace - "Camp was a fun experience. There were many highlights including panning for gold and Aura gold display. I would recommend this camp to anyone who wants a fun and enjoyable experience. "

Sean - "Camp was very fun and if you like gold panning history and the gold rush then you need to go there. My favourite part was the Aura show and the winter in July because they were both at night and it looked really cool. We saw how gold was made and went in the red hill mine and also saw a lot of horses."

Sasha - "The camp was a fun and enjoyable place. There were so many places to visit during camp. My favourite experience of the camp would have to be the Aura Gold Display."

Crystal - "It was an interesting experience and we got to learn new and exciting things like how a gold mine worked in the past and equipment they used to use. I liked the gold panning because it was a fun, physical task. The Aura show was outstanding, because there was fire and explosions to show us more about the Eureka Stockade."

Luca - "I enjoyed panning for gold and I found three little specks (so I'm not rich yet!) I loved the Aura: Story of Gold Show, the 3D cinema part was cool because you got to see how the universe was created. I loved going down in the mine tours and experience the mine shafts."

Hannah - "Camp to Sovereign Hill was a fun and enjoyable experience. There were lots of interesting activities like the Aura sound and light show, which was amazing, the Pantomime was really funny and the Winter Wonderland which felt like a wintery Christmas with all the lights and snow."

Maxwell- I enjoyed the camp to Sovereign Hill because of the  underground mines and gold panning. There were lots of interesting things to do like walking around and  doing all the activities. It felt like Christmas with all the lights and fake snow.

Maya- I really enjoyed camp to Sovereign Hill because of the experiences we got to see. The thing that stood out for me was the gold panning as I found some gold. The other thing I enjoyed was the train ride because I've never experienced it before and we got to walk around. 

Thomas- "I really enjoyed camp because we got to pan for gold, walk around the streets, and learn about the Gold rush of Australia.  we also got to  see an aura light show presentation and learn about how the universe was made. I also liked the old school because we got to write in ink".