Prep V stepped back in time on Tuesday when Del Bannister visited and taught us about home and school life in Victorian times.
Once we were seated in our rows, girls and boys separated as was appropriate in Victorian times our lessons could begin. Firstly, we learned the importance of the three “r”s: reading, writing and arithmetic. Darcy was our pupil-teacher, who helped us with our repetitive rote learning by tapping the cane firmly on the board. There were harsh punishments for inattentive students; Robyn experienced the finger-stocks for fiddling in class, and Zulfikar tried out the backboard, which was the punishment for slouching. We used slates and scratchers to calculate sums in pounds, shillings and pence – some of us found farthings, which were worth a quarter of a penny, a little tricky. Next it was time to use dip pens to practise our Victorian copperplate handwriting, and we found it very difficult not to blot our copybooks! Finally, the bell was rung by Sam, with great enthusiasm, to signal the end of morning school and we returned to the twenty-first century, reflecting that our modern classroom with its carpet, colourful displays, interactive whiteboard and light, airy windows is very different from the crowded, dark and rather gloomy classrooms in the photographs we studied.
In the afternoon, we found out about home-life for Victorian families, many of whom lived in two up two down terraced houses with a privy in the backyard. (Strangely no-one fancied the job of the night soil-man, who emptied out the privies every few weeks…Perhaps it was the rats that put us off?) They certainly made Dexter jump when he pretended to visit the privy in the night time! Often as many as fourteen people lived in one house, and we learned how to top and tail in a bed, which the boys demonstrated for us which much wriggling and giggling! We also found out which members of the family were allowed to sit round the dinner table. Austin was the head of the family and sat at the top of the table. Sorry girls, your place was in the kitchen, cooking and waiting on the men and boys in the family.
Next, we embarked on that oh-so-important Victorian activity, making privy paper. Some of us proved especially talented at this task; however, Mrs. Bannister suggested we stick to our usual softer brand in our own bathrooms!
We concluded the afternoon by looking at a range of artefacts from everyday Victorian life, and tried to guess their uses. While we all recognised the nutcrackers, the jelly mould, darning mushroom and potato masher proved somewhat more baffling!
Many thanks to Mrs. Bannister for her expertise and enthusiasm, and thanks also to all our parents for their continued support with the children’s practical learning.
Philippa Cash review of Victorian school life – 1 star – would not recommend !!!
I loved using the ink pens as it felt really nice to write with. I also loved learning what the victorians used to use in day to day life
I really liked the dip pens it was jolly hard not to smudge, I thought it was fun!
Max M.
I liked the day because we learnt about Victorians school life and home life I think home life was my favourite. I liked tapping the cane firmly on the board.
Darcy spavin
I really enjoyed learning about Victorian life. I liked sitting separately from the boys! From Alice
I was alright when Del Banister came I was a bit scared of her when she was pretending to be a Victorian teacher because she was very strict i liked the writing activity that was fun i really liked using those pens.I felt sorry for all the people who had to face the consequences I’m happy I was not one of them.It turned out to be an okay day and some bits were fun.
(by Isha.J)
I liked the bit where we learned about the Victorian house and I didn’t know Horlicks was around at that time
Carlo K
I liked using a dip pen.
Anji-Prep v
This Tuesday We had a full day of history! In the lesson I learned that schools today are WAY better than schools in Victorian times because in Victorian times there are sooo many punishments that don’t even make any sense. I also think that schools are better know because the set up of the classroom gives an uninviting look.My favourite part of the lesson was acting out a modern Victorian family of fourteen! I also really enjoyed seeing what all of the punishments would be if you misbehaved.(especially when Joe had to were the Dunce hat!)
Lucy
I like the one where Joe has a dunce hat from Theo Carswell
I had so much fun, especially when they put the finger stocks on my hands.
Robyn Prep V
I really liked looking at the pictures of family’s and making toilet paper(newspaper)
I would have not have wanted to be a Victorian child in school because the teachers seemed very strict and harsh I did enjoy the day though
From Edie Redfern