From 31st July to 2nd August, the year 5/6 students attended Sovereign Hill, Ballarat school camp. The camp provides students with an engaging and educational experience focussing on Australia’s Gold Rush era. The camp began with the students arriving at The Eureka Centre where they engaged in tours learning about the Eureka Stockade. This experience allowed students to see the famous real-life Eureka Flag that has only ever been flown 4 times. Students then made their way to Sovereign Hill. After a brief orientation, they explored the recreated 1850s gold rush town. Highlights included gold panning, where students used traditional techniques to search for gold, and a visit to an old-fashioned schoolhouse, offering a glimpse into 19th-century education. These activities provided hands-on learning and deepened students’ understanding of life during the gold rush.
While on camp, students attended the Costume School Program. This Program immersed the students in the 1850s gold rush era by dressing them in period costumes and engaging them in authentic historical activities. Students experienced life as it was during the Gold Rush, participating in interactive lessons, gold panning, and period-appropriate tasks, enhancing their historical understanding. Students engaged in guided tours through the historical gold mines beneath Sovereign Hill, allowing them to witness the intricate network of tunnels and shafts that miners once navigated. Students learnt about the challenges and techniques of gold mining in the 1850s, gaining a deeper appreciation for the hard work and ingenuity involved in Australia’s gold rush era. The students involved themselves in a gold pouring demonstrations where some students were fortunate enough to hold $360,000 in one hand!
On the second night, students watched the Aura Sound and Light Show that captivated the Gold Rush era through a stunning display of sound and light. The camp to Sovereign Hill was a successful and enriching experience. It combined historical learning with interactive activities, leaving students with a greater appreciation for Australian History and the Gold Rush era. The feedback from both students and teachers was highly positive, marking the camp as a significant educational highlight of the year.