1978 School Magazine

For the second time this year our ancient history class decided to lobk at the practical side of ancient history when, during second term, we attempted to produce papyrus paper. Attempted was, indeed, the operative word! On the day of the great event one of the fifth form girls was seen hurrying in the school gate, a large bundle o{ papyrus reeds under her arm. I need say nothing of her bmbarrassment on receiving numerous "strange" looks from various members of the school. Despite all difficuliies, however, the courageous student pressed onwards and the papyrus reeds reached the an- cient history lesson intact. Having obtained our one basic need we began the pro- cess of stripping the green outer coating off the reeds and slicing them . into strips. lncidentally, several students, including myself, took the additional liberty of almost slicing their fingers into strips also.' Presentty the need for a "donger" atrose as, after laying the sliced papyrus out in neat rows, criss-cross fashion, we were'required to beat them to a "pulpy mess". After trying severaldifferent means (namely a rock, a hammer and a Kathie Nolan), it was decided that the best plan of iction was to take our papyrus home and attack it with our mother's meat mallets. With the fullfilment of this plan (not withstanding the ob- jectioh of several of our mothers who refused to allow iheir meat mallets to be transformed into "dongers")we found we had produced exactly what was required - "a pulpy mess". The only drawback was the fact that the t'pulpy mess" remained a "pulpy mess" and stubbornly refused to become anthing else. "But what did you learn?" you ask. I am quick to answer that, despite our failure to produce anything which slight- ly resembled paper, we have gained from expe-rience an undying respect for the Egyptians in their skill in paper production, a knowledge of what not to do when practis- ing the refined art o1 'paper-making'. .becca poore, 58.

Modern History This year the 6th form Modern History students benefii- ted from various extra activities organized by Mrs. Stone and Miss Gibson. The idea of the scheme was to broaden our education by enabling us to study history outside the school syllabus. This resulted in a visit to the Albert Cinema where we all enjoyed the film 'MacArthur'. This was a graphic account of some of the most important years of this 'rebel' general's life. We were also able to hear a talk by Captain Stone on the ar- my and the defence melhods used by Australia. I am sure ihat tne other sixth form students will agree with me when I say that the effort which went into preparing these extra activities was greatly appreciated. Sue Chalk, 6C.

Ancient History Dig - During first term, the fifth form Ancient History classes, under the supervision of Ms. Rant and Miss Cahill, were involved in an archaeological 'dig'. Girls were chosen for various positions as "diggers" who dug up the area; "sifters", who sifted through the loose earth; "cleaners" who washed the "artifacts"; "recorders", who noted details such as the shape and colour of the "remains" of twentieth century man; and photographers, who, natural- ly, took photographs of the finds. Aided by a visiting archaeologist, Mrs. Dalton, objects such as perfume bottles and ice-cream containers were discovered in the small plot near the science classrooms allotted for the dig. After the. excursion, all the "artifacts" were identified in the classroom and record- ed for posterity. tc JAL tuxt,-lxloL dntA ,rtob w inw tfu- a.cmt- p4olr&-'rw "l gnuh Lf,Alttrt."

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