Students who study H.S.I.E this semester have had the chance to be involved in several amazing opportunities, including a visit by our Legal Studies students to the Law Courts, a Museum excursion by our Historians to Sydney University and a chance to see a World Heritage listed wilderness by our Geographers. Our Year 8 Geographers also ventured to Warragamba Dam and Penrith Lakes as part of their important study of Water in the World, a topic particularly significant to the Hawkesbury. Our Historians were also able to participate in Medieval Day, learning about life in the Middle Ages.

Chau Chak Wing Museum Excursion - Leila Freund

When we arrived at the museum, we split off into different groups. We first saw the ancient Roman statues and stones, we learnt about Latin and tried to read the stones. We also learned that one of the statues was of two people because the emperors in Rome often died not long after becoming emperor, and there was a civil war going on, so they couldn't afford to make a new statue for the new emperor, so they made the new emperor's face on top of the old emperor's. All of the statues were dusty, grey kind of colours, but they used to be bright and colourful.

Roman Remains

After that, we went upstairs to the hands-on room, where we got to touch (with gloves on) some ancient artifacts. We then guessed out of 3 which was the oldest, youngest, and middle, and which ones out of the 3 were real or replicas. 

We then went to the Ancient Egypt section, where we saw the mummies. There was a 7-year-old boy in one of the coffins. The Egyptians would remove all their organs, suck out their brain, remove their heart, remove moisture, then place it back in. Then they would wrap them up and place them in a coffin. They believed that this was the key to getting into the afterlife. They thought humans didn't need brains and only hearts

Egyptian Section

The last section we went to was the animals. We also saw an upper skull wrapped in clay that's around 9500 years old. We saw all the animal fossils and mummies. It was pretty gross.

Natural History

Year 12 Court Excursion

In Week 6, our Year 12 students stepped into the world of justice on their Supreme Court excursion! From exploring the courtroom to seeing the law in action, it was an eye-opening experience that brought their studies to life.

Year 7 Blue Mountains

Year 7 enjoyed an exciting excursion to the Blue Mountains, travelling by bus to explore both Katoomba Falls and Wentworth Falls Lake. At Katoomba Falls, students rotated through activities at Reids Plateau, Witches Leap and Katoomba Cascades, where they completed field sketches, answered workbook questions and learned about vegetation and management of the area. At Wentworth Falls Lake, students investigated different management strategies, listened to a talk on vegetation and used a chart to identify local plants on a short walk. With time for recess and lunch at both sites, Year 7 had the opportunity to work in groups, enjoy the natural beauty of the Blue Mountains and deepen their understanding of the environment. It was a fun and memorable day for everyone.

Year 8 Medieval Day

Our Year 8 Historians spent their morning learning about the Battle of Hastings, the Crusades and weapons of the time period. In the middle part of the day, they participated in a Jesters session, then spent the afternoon learning about Knightly behaviour as part of the Squires Run.

Year 8 Geography

Our Year 8 Geographers travelled to Warragamba Dam, Penrith Lakes and Waterside as part of their studies of Water in the World. The Dam is Australia’s largest urban water supply with a capacity of 2065 GL. On the day, it was at 98% capacity.

Year 12 Business Studies Venues NSW Excursion  

Year 12 Business Studies students travelled to the Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium to hear from experts in the field of venue management. Students were given a behind the scenes tour of the SCG facilities including the members lounge, players areas and the heritage-listed dressing rooms with original furnishings from Don Bradman’s era. We then walked to Allianz Stadium and toured the media rooms, players’ facilities including the Sydney Roosters change rooms, and the coaches briefing rooms and warm up areas.

Ms Kim Manuel

Assistant Leader of Learning 

HSIE