Stage 3 – Camp to Bathurst
This year, Years 5 and 6 headed north-west to the Blue Mountains and on to Bathurst for 3 days and 2 nights of great fun and exciting adventures. It was a great way to introduce our new Unit of Inquiry “Where We Are in Place and Time” which explores the concepts of identity and the impact of significant people and events on societies.
On the way to the goldfields, we stopped at Echo Point for a glimpse of the Three Sisters and then headed to Jenolan Caves to wind our way through the steep and narrow caverns of their hidden world. The boys loved both experiences but couldn’t wait to get to Heritage Park to make their fortune.
The second day brought hope of riches and great fortune as we made our way to Hill End then onto some gold panning nearby. Before beginning, we were guided through the Bald Hills Mine and had a small taste of life of life underground. The boys then stood ankle deep in the muddy waters, sifting through the stone and mud, dreaming of that “Eureka” moment. While minute amounts were found, we walked out richer for the experience but not for the golden discovery.
On Day 3, we took a hot lap of Mount Panorama at 40km/h in the bus and took a pit stop at the Bathurst Goldfields site, just at the bottom of Forest Elbow. There the boys made damper, play games of horseshoes, made tents and mud bricks. A quick journey through the gift shop before the journey home was compulsory.
Though great fun was had by the boys and teachers alike, we received a real sense of what it was like in the early days of our nation. There were hard times but great hope of making it rich. It was not easy during the time of the Gold Rush but our small colony became multicultural and great deal was learnt by those who were there about their own character and how much it meant to them to be successful.
As we arrived home that Friday afternoon, we reflected on a great time together as a Stage and how we will cherish the memories we share.
Mr Czerwenka, Mr Weekes, Mr Edwards, Mrs Ball and Miss Rusten