Gloucester Year 7 history students travelled to Sydney recently to explore ancient worlds.
Students visited The Nicholson Museum at the University of Sydney, the IMAX Theatre’s state-of-the art film experience at Darling Harbour, and topped it off with a Captain Cook Highlights Tour of Sydney Harbour.
The Nicholson Museum has the largest collection of ancient artefacts in Australia and will celebrate its 150th year in 2010.
In 1856, Sir Charles Nicholson, one of the founders of the University of Sydney, travelled to Egypt and Europe where he purchased numerous artefacts.
In 1860 these objects were moved from Nicholson’s house to three rooms in the University’s quadrangle and with this donation the Nicholson Museum was founded. Today, students are excited to see a real mummy and gain direct contact with material of the ancient societies that fill their textbooks.
The IMAX theatre has the biggest movie screen in the world.
Students viewed Mummies, Secrets of the Pharaohs which follows researchers and explorers as they piece together the archaeological clues of Egyptian mummies.
It has lots of fascinating facts and increases understanding of Egyptian religion, medicine and daily life thousands of years ago.
Jeremy Kelly’s response to the excursion sums up the views of many Year 7 historians.
“I thought it was heaps good. It was fun on the bus because of the movies and comfy seats,” Jeremy said.
“The Museum was good because I got to look at a lot of artefacts and real mummies and the IMAX Theatre was excellent – I’ve never seen a screen like that!
“The cruise was also excellent. I really enjoyed the excursion.’
Adelle Pygram and Tara Haggarty thought that the mummies were “a bit creepy” but overall the Museum was “cool.”
Alison Saxby agreed that the Museum was “gross and scary” because of the real mummies.
She also thought that the documentary-style of Mummies, Secrets of the Pharaohs at the IMAX Theatre was good.
Although he didn’t like the early start, Josh James really enjoyed the excursion – the bus trip, the movies, the three cappuccinos and the food.
Josh thought that “all the shows were great” and that “in the end it was tiring but good.”
Ben Charman particularly enjoyed the Captain Cook Cruise.
“We saw and went under The Harbour Bridge, and saw The Opera House, naval ships and submarines.”
Mitchell Kellner described the excursion as “so fun.”
Mitchell liked the Museum “heaps” because he “liked the mummies and learning about things like that.”
Mitchell also enjoyed Mummies, Secrets of the Pharaohs.
“It was so good and really interesting.’
“I also loved the Cruise because we got to see everything close up. It was a really good excursion and I had a great time.’
Our thanks to Mr Davis, Miss Relf, Mrs Davis and Ms Grey for taking us on this fun and exciting expedition into the past – and the present. We think everyone enjoyed the experience.
Special thanks to Mr Paul Newcombe who safely and thoughtfully drove us to and from our destinations.
7T History & Ms Grey