Over the past 2 weeks our five Year 9 Aotearoa students have had the opportunity to learn from the educators at Marsden Valley Education Centre and staff at Shantytown.

Students participated in the Home Front programme, which involved immersing ourselves into the war effort during 1916 and learning about life during World War and the impacts WW1 had on our community. Learners spent time in the classroom, experiencing what schooling used to be like and how strict teachers were! Children also had the opportunity to make ‘care packages’ for the ANZAC soldiers fighting in Gallipoli. We participated in a scavenger hunt around Shantytown, to get a feel for the town and learn more about medicine available for injured soldiers in the early 19th century. A highlight for learners was a reenactment of a returning soldier, which involved the town greeting the soldier arriving on the train and a church service commemorating the first ANZAC service. The educators leading the programme were so impressed with our Year 9 cohort, communicating with our principal Ms Samantha Mortimer the following:

“...were the most impressive group of GHS students ever to have participated in our Home Front programme, their general attitude and openness to learning, and willingness to participate in role-play/re-enactment of the first Greymouth ANZAC Service, was commendable. All students showed considerable respect for the topic (Home Front- Mawhera/Greymouth during WW1), each other, staff, the visitors to Shantytown and the actual exhibits.”

We look forward to further field trips with our learners to Shantytown, making use of our local resources and community. Congratulations to all those Year 9 who attended the field trip and showed our school ARCH values through your attitude, you make us feel proud.

Mr Bernard Adams

Social Science Teacher