In 1979, Moya Sharpe was having questions about how to teach the Social Studies curriculum to her students. She wanted to do it in a way that would stimulate her own imagination and interest as well as that of her students. One topic that caught her attention was "Settlement on the Derwent River and lifestyles of the 1800's." After brainstorming the topic with her grade 3 class, one idea stood out on the list - act it out. How could Moya give her students a practical chance to explore life in the 1800's?
She would need to be away from the PA system and sirens from the school. Strolling down to the farm at the back of the school, she found an old musset hut. Great - but now permission was needed from the principal. Moya often had madcap ideas on educating children so decided she would send two of her students instead. The answer - Yes , you can go ahead.
THUS THE PIONEER SCHOOL WAS BORN!!
Over the next week, students cleaned out the hut, moved in desks and chairs, purchased bottles of ink and pens and the real schooling began. Students attended class in pioneer costume to add to the atmosphere, a teacher's lectern was found and was placed at the front with a large cane and a shiny red apple. Parents began sending in household items from the 1800's. A museum was begun at the back of the room. On the final day, billy tea and damper was made for lunch and parents and teachers were invited to join in. Such enthusiasm from the children as they related their experiences. But then it was back to the normal classroom.
Moya was now convinced this was an interesting, exciting and innovative way to teach children history. With money from grants she applied for, with support from Parent's and Friends Association and the principal, the small 1800's village grew. Students now learnt art and cottage craft lessons as well as history. By 1981, Moya was now a resource teacher based at the pioneer school.
If you visit the pioneer village now, you will see a great many more buildings including:
selectors hut built by students and teachers;
mill shed where students use a hand mill to grind the wholemeal flour to use in damper;
coffee shoppe which was a large shed given as a parting gift from the principal in 1982. This began as a museum and in 1989 had a facelift including the addition of two stained glass windows and a brick chimney and fireplace;
commissariat store which had been the tractor shed on the farm and from here students were introduced to a variety of farming programs;
general store which was a small garden shed and from which students now buy and sell goods;
post and telegraph office which opened in 1987 and had a fully operational hand operated telephone system installed by Telstra;
blacksmith's shop which opened in 1988 had been donated and included the building as well as anvil, bellows, forge and blacksmith tools;
Sharpe's drapery store opened in 1989 and contains soldier, convict and settlers costumes which children use when taking part in the living history lessons at the Pioneer Village;
and in 1995, a wash house was added to the village after a donation of many irons and laundry items.
Money to keep the village going comes from grants as well as the yearly Heritage Day fair where students come dressed in costume and take part in maypole dancing as well as bush sports and the very competitive hobby horse race.
Other schools have heard about the program at the Pioneer Village and often come down for a day's visit.