Scotch College

Federation Re-enactment

On Thursday 22 March 2001, the Junior School played their part in the School's celebration of 150 years by holding a Re-enactment Day. All the boys had the opportunity to experience what life was like on a very wet day in 1851.

Junior School staff and boys dressed in period costume or period school uniform and many parents who attended added to the atmosphere and spirit of the day by also dressing in costume.

The Junior School Assembly Hall was crowded to its limits with many excited boys and adults preparing for the Opening Ceremony.

The school day commenced in a traditional manner with the raising of the flag and the singing of 'God Save the Queen'. The Principal, Dr Donaldson, officially opened the re-enactment activities. This was followed by some comments on the School's history by the School Archivist, Mr Dick Briggs. As the guests departed the boys headed in all directions for their trip into the past.

A wealth of activities awaited their eager response. The boys were involved in Damper Making. Mixing, cooking and eating their own damper on a stick was the first task. When everyone had had their fill of damper, they were joined by a 'jolly swagman' for a sing-a-long. A spot of billy tea, especially brewed to quench the thirst after a long day, could be smelt brewing, as songs were sung and stories were told around the camp fire.

The boys constructed a Pioneer House using paper skills, folding, cutting and pasting. They laboured long and hard over the building, just as our pioneers would have done many years ago. Boys could be heard discussing the comforts of home and hardships of the past. Who would live in a house like this? How long would this have taken to build with real wood?

The travel back in time also incorporated the development of the bicycle. What sort of bicycles did Scotch College's founding students ride to school? What is a bone shaker? When did bicycles acquire horns? Who was Mulga Bill? Bruce Hargraves took the boys on a 'ride through time'.

He gave a lively and energetic performance, showing all how to climb quickly onto a penny farthing and ride it around, plus a variety of ways you can disembark. Those who had a chance to climb aboard were thrilled.

Entertainment in 1851 did not involve watching television. Bush dancing was the popular past-time. The well-known 'Shenanigans' bush band taught our students dance steps and set the scene for an energetic round of bush dancing. It was great to see parents, staff and students join together in dance.

The games played by children have changed throughout the last 150 years. The Junior School boys went back in time to participate in a variety of games that were played at school or at home from the 1850s; to the early 1900s. Fun was had by all playing 'Hoppo Bumpo', skittles, quoits, croquet, hoops, tops, pick-up sticks, jacks and hopscotch.

The Colonial School teachers gave us a great insight into school days in the rip roaring 1850s. It was unusual, but interesting to experience the rigid discipline of a classroom, to write on slates and to learn a poem by rote. To sit in straight rows and to have such a large class was an eye opener. History came alive with the story of 'The Miner'. We all played a part in an imaginary trip to the minefields, using a real donkey and old wheelbarrows. It was difficult surviving on small rations. The boys had the experience of using authentic equipment and dressing-up as a prospector.

The craft of making paper was explored by the boys. They worked through the process of making the pulp and of using a frame and deckle to shape their paper. Candle and soap making, bread baking and cooking of honeycomb or boiled lollies were an essential part of life in the 1850s. Our boys made coconut ice using an old, original recipe.

A special thank you to the JSPA who prepared a sausage sizzle for all Junior School boys on this day. It was a very busy and exciting day and one that should remain in the memories of each Junior School boy and all our visitors to the school for a long time. The wide range of activities provided a wonderful educational experience.

Mr Brian Sampson

Tree Planting for 150 celebrations

Recently all Junior School boys were involved in planting trees in local parks and gardens and within Scotch grounds. A total of 2001 trees were planted in conjunction with the City of Booroondara, helped by the School's Ground Staff.