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.
Stage 1 History
Present and Past Family Life
Key inquiry questions:
How has family life changed or remained the same over time?
How can we show that the present is different from or similar to the past?
HT1-1 Communicates an understanding of change and continuity in family life using appropriate historical terms
HT1-4 Demonstrates skills of historical inquiry and communication
The Past in the Present
Key inquiry questions:
What aspects of the past can you see today?
What do they tell us?
How have changes in technology shaped our daily life?
HT1-3 Describes the effects of changing technology on people’s lives over time
HT1-4 Demonstrates skills of historical inquiry and communication
Similar programs: Now and Then; The Way We Were; Childsplay
Complementary programs: Lessons from the Past
Up to 20 Students: $200 Up to 40 Students: $385 Up to 60 Students: $575
You can alter your booking numbers up until 7 days prior to your visit. We will call you a week before your booking to confirm final numbers and requirements. You will be invoiced for the full cost of your program a week prior to your booking. Payment can be made by Credit Card, EFTPOS or cheque (payable to Historic Houses Trust of NSW). Cancellations made within 7 days of a booking will incur the full cost for the program. Cancellations made within 2 weeks of your visit will be invoiced for 50% of the total booking. Cancellations must be made in writing.
Please plan to arrive before the start time of your booked program to allow for cloaking, toilet visits and/or a refreshment break for the students. If you arrive late, some elements and activities may need to be cut from the program to keep to the scheduled finish time.
Large groups will be divided up into smaller groups for activities in the museums.
Bags, food and drinks are not permitted in the museums and cloaking facilities are provided.
Photography policies vary between the museums so please ask a member of staff for details.
Teachers and carers are required to remain with their groups at all times.
Disciplining students remains the responsibility of teachers and carers accompanying the group.
Please let us know before your visit if any of your students have special needs or learning difficulties so we can plan to accommodate their needs during the visit.
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.
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
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
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
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