14 May 2021
Embracing ‘Curiosity’ one of the key ‘Learning Dispositions’ at QHS, year 9 students - plus year 11 Modern History students - enjoyed an interactive experience as Shane Blackman (From WWI - Living History) brought the realities of warfare to life.
Shane presented on the true experiences of trench warfare and gas attacks many troops would have experienced at the Western Front.
Students had the opportunity to hear stories of how warfare really took place, seeing and handling artefacts first-hand.
“Students today learnt through a variety of primary and secondary sources.
They could select an item from the display and Shane would explain the story behind the item. He also compared a modern-day Soldier to a WWI soldier, which involved an opportunity for the students to wear the different items,” said Head Teacher HSIE, Mrs Valentine.
Students learnt about life in the trenches and the home front. The display included items knitted by women that were sent over to the soldiers, looked at weaponry including a training bayonet and training grenade as well as ammunition from a machine gun.
“Students let their curiosity drive the presentation as they could select the items they wanted to know more about. QHS would like to thank Shane for attending and sharing his knowledge today and I would also like to thank Mr Hamilton for coordinating today and Ms Eykamp – a secret History buff – for her student supervision today,” concluded Mrs Valentine.