Early to Rise

About the program

This Stage 1 History program gives students the opportunity to explore the working areas of the former farm, and investigate what life would have been like for children living there in the late 1800s.

Students visit the old milking shed and explore the beautiful stables that the Rouse family built for their horses. They learn about the vital role of horses at the time, as an essential means of transport and for getting work done around the farm. Students shift bags of chaff, polish saddles in the tack room and hear what poet Banjo Paterson had to say about the Rouse ‘Crooked R’ brand.

As chores would have been part of daily life for children living on the farm in the late 1800s, students have the chance to experience some of these for themselves: feeding the chooks, hanging out the washing and pumping water.

Early to Rise complements the other Stage 1 History program at Rouse Hill Estate, Lessons from the Past. NB Please see the Lessons from the Past page for cost scale of combining the two programs.

Conservation works are currently underway on the property and are scheduled for completion in May 2025. Some parts of the main house and stables will be publicly inaccessible during this time however the learning programs are not impacted as we have adjusted the program to move impacted program sections to other areas. . If you are interested to know more about the conservation works, please read Conservation works at Rouse Hill Estate.

356 Annangrove Road, Rouse Hill NSW 2155

Rouse Hill Estate

356 Annangrove Road, Rouse Hill NSW 2155
  • Wheelchair accessible
Cost (GST free)
From $200 for up to 20 students

See page for cost scale details

Duration
90 minutes
Session offered
Monday to Friday 10.30am–2pm
Maximum students
60 per session
Supervision ratios

The supervision ratio is 1:10 for primary groups and 1:15 for secondary groups. Teachers and parents attend free of charge at these ratios. One carer per student with special needs will be admitted free of charge

Additional visitor costs

Each additional visitor will be charged at the concession rate of $12

Browse all
Students wearing dress up costumes and laughing in the nursery.
Onsite

Child's Play

Students learn about what it was like to live at Vaucluse House for the wealthy family of William Charles and Sarah Wentworth, with their ten children and many servants

Children and adults dressed in period costume holding ribbons attached to pole.
Onsite

Lessons from the Past

Integrating outcomes from History, PDHPE and Creative Arts, this program gives students the opportunity to learn firsthand about what school life was like in the late 19th century

Students doing laundry in the courtyard.
Onsite

Now and Then

As students are guided through the property, they discover that the household lived without the benefits of running water, bathrooms, electricity, appliances or paved roads