Year 6 boys at Edgecliff embarked on an exciting history project designed to be a window into what life might be like at College Street, and an investigation into what helped shape the lives of our Old Sydneians.
Seventy-two Old Sydneians, spanning eight decades, responded to a series of research questions, designed to be a springboard for deeper personalized research. Questions such as ‘Can you remember an influential pop song from your College Street days? One whose lyrics spoke to you?’ and ‘Can you remember a significant Australian who inspired you during your years at College Street?’. From there, each Year 6 boy was assigned an Old Sydneian and began their research. Responses to the research questions were read carefully, and each boy decided on six questions to frame his research. A series of short accounts were created by the boys before being presented at our Exhibition Evening. As an example, the teachers shared a model presentation that was delivered to the retiring Mr. Steve Gonski, himself an Old Sydneian. This was a great opportunity to provide some direction to the boys, but also the chance to pay tribute to a wonderful Edgecliff teacher.
The Exhibition Evening, ‘Old Sydneian: These are your College Street Years’ was not just a chance for the boys to present their work to ‘their’ Old Sydneian, but rather an invitation to a conversation where each boy was able to engage with his guest. The evening was an opportunity to share, to ask questions and to listen.
On behalf of all the Staff and Year 6 boys at Sydney Grammar Edgecliff, we sincerely thank all our wonderful Old Sydneians who took part in our History Project. We enjoyed learning more about what life was like during another time, and we gained a little insight into their experiences after Primary School. We look forward to reading more accounts of our valued Old Sydneian community as we again embark on this project, in Term 4, 2019.
Mr J Smith
Director of Studies
