South Canterbury Museum - 20 August

When we went back into Level 2, our History trip looked unlikely, as the Hocken Library expressed that they could not socially distance our group where the archives are held. So it was with much gratitude on my behalf, that the South Canterbury Museum said that they would host us on the same day we had planned the trip for.

The internal assessment topic for the Year 11 History class this year focuses on the Influenza Pandemic of 1918. Not only was this event hugely significant for New Zealand at the time, it is now much more relevant to the students as they are now living in a pandemic themselves. They are much more aware of the impact that did occur in society when businesses, schools etc. were shut down. They are also much more empathetic to the grief and long lasting sadness that would have affected all New Zealanders, especially as it came immediately after the end of World War I.

Keely Kroening, the Education Officer at the South Canterbury Museum, initially went through a powerpoint which contained a large number of primary photos linked to the pandemic, and then divided the class in half. While one group looked at the museum displays which related to the Great War and how society looked at the time, the other half looked at artefacts from the time, namely Certificates of Health, as well as some of the medicinal ‘cures’ which were sold from local chemists. The girls were very privileged to be able to see and photograph these artefacts as they are ones that are not often on display to the public.

I would like to thank Mrs. Williams who accompanied us on the trip. Overall, a very successful day of historical research for the girls in 11 History.