MARY MacKillop Memorial School students have delved into Australia’s military history, culminating with an in-house display.
Initially focussed on the origin of Anzac Day, students have spent more than a month expanding their knowledge on the Australian experience of war and the nature and significance of the war in the world.
Students selected two war-related topics and created unique projects to demonstrate their knowledge, which are now on display in the school hall.
Pieces of work ranged from clay models depicting wartime, drawings and information reports.
Students researched individuals who fought in Australia’s wars, the use of animals during wartime and the origins of The Last Post.
Mary MacKillop Memorial School Year 6/7 teacher Kathy O’Connell said the project was not intended to become an exhibition.
However, as the class dove further into the military history of Australia, students and staff decided to display their work.
Students showcased their work in the school hall alongside fibreglass figures of war heroes, which were loaned to the school by the Coonawarra and Penola Returned Services League.
Ms O’Connell said RSL members will be invited to view the students work alongside parents and caregivers.
“One student researched the meaning of mateship and what it meant during war time then compared it to modern days,” Ms O’Connell said.
“He found it meant working and supporting one another and making friends and he also compared the meaning to what is happening in the world now.”
Ms O’Connell said students had read books on war and acted out scenes in class to support deeper student learning.
“Learning about war is critical for students as it allows them to further understand our history and our connection to war,” she said.
“It also allows them to understand our involvement in conflict around the world and looks at how war is not the most appropriate way to solve issues and can cause complications for families back home.”
Ms O’Connell said the students also examined the negative aspects of war as part of the curriculum.
