The year 13 History class this year have been learning about European Migration to Canterbury.

 We have been researching the Deans brothers, Robert Godley and looking closely at how the first European migrants coped when they arrived off the first four ships, with many to follow, into the Lyttleton Harbour in 1850. They realised quickly that what they were promised in England had not been delivered on arrival.  

To help with our students' understanding of this we walked around Riccaton Bush, visited the Deans' Cottage and then Riccarton House. This house is made up of 40 rooms and 14 bedrooms. The students enjoyed exploring this house with our tour guide. 

We then went on to visit the Canterbury Museum where the students had some time to look at some of the great exhibitions before focusing on the European settlement of Canterbury's history in the Museum's permanent exhibition. A museum curator explained some interesting history that added to our current knowledge of the city. We discovered that the original city layout of Christchurch is based on the configuration of the Union Jack flag! This is how patriotic the first British migrants were. 

At the end of our talk the students had an opportunity to dress up in old pioneering clothing from the time, all great fun. By then it was time to walk through the gardens and head back to school. A great day out had by all.​