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Last Thursday, the Year 5’s ventured to Penola to explore what it was like to live in the colonial past as we have been learning about how the colonial 
settlement began, what life was like, how it progressed and how it changed the lives of the Aboriginal people. We have also been investigating the gold rush and Eureka Stockade. 
We arrived in Penola at the Mary Mackillop Interpretive Centre and were 
greeted by the beautiful staff that work there. The students rotated between three different activities throughout the day. They were able to explore 
Petticoat Lane and learn the history of the cottages along the lane and the families who resided in them. They were able to learn more about Father 
Julian Tenison Woods and Mary Mackillop, the founders of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, from the exhibitions and the informative staff at the centre, who gave each group a mini tour of the sections. The students also experienced just what it would have been like to attend school in that era, entering into the original schoolhouse of the Sisters of St Joseph and having the very strict Mrs. Muller teach them just as students would’ve been taught in 1867.
The students thoroughly enjoyed stepping back in time for the day in their old fashion attire, enjoying games and schoolhouse experience.

Nikki Bishop  |  Year 5 Teacher