Frequently Asked Questions

Why have we received two invoices?

Sovereign Hill School (Department of Education) and Sovereign Hill Museum are two separate entities and they work together to create the Sovereign Hill Costumed Schools:

This invoice will be sent to your school after your Costumed School experience. A Confirmation of Visit will be sent prior to your experience. For any enquiries regarding these aspects of you booking, please contact schoolbookings@sovereignhill.com.au or ring 03 5337 1188.


Can students choose to dress as a different gender?

Students who identify LGBTQI+ may choose a costume in which they feel most comfortable. Separate changing facilities can be arranged if Costumed School staff are informed prior to Day 1 of your experience.  Phone: 03 5337 1143

Please note: Students attending Sovereign Hill Costumed Schools become a living exhibit of the Sovereign Hill Museum. As such, they must portray an 1850s school child with historical accuracy. This means, a student in a girl's costume will sit in class with the girls and do girls' activities; a student in a boy's costume will sit in class with the boys and do boys' activities. 


Are you strict when it comes to costuming?

As Sovereign Hill is a museum, and students attending the Costumed Schools become a living exhibit, all costuming must be historically accurate. This includes visiting teachers dressing in costume. Modern day clothing or items cannot be visible e.g. mobile phones, coloured socks.


How can you support my student in a wheel chair?

All Costumed Schools have wheel chair access.  As Sovereign Hill Museum has gravel paths, stairs, and some steep slopes, some access may be difficult. Please consult the Costumed School staff prior to your visit so that your student's accessibility needs can be taken into consideration.  Phone: 03 5337 1143


Can staff take photos of students?

Staff who choose to dress in costume are unable to use their mobile phones or cameras. However, they can interact with the students throughout the experience.

Staff who are not in costume may take photographs of the students in accordance with the visiting school's photography policy, but have limited opportunities to interact in the classroom setting.


How many teachers can dress in costume?

A maximum of two visiting teachers per Sovereign Hill Costumed School can dress in costume ($40 per teacher). We strongly encourage each class's teacher to dress in costume so that they are able to interact freely with their students.


How do you support students who experience difficulties in regulating their behaviour?

Please talk directly to the Costumed School staff prior to your visit so that they may make adjustments to the program to suit the needs of your students.

Costumed School staff manage behaviour within the limitations of the Costume School program. The management of extreme, rude or inappropriate behaviour  is the responsibility of visiting teachers. Sovereign Hill Museum expects all visiting schools to sign a Code of Conduct, and visiting teachers to enact their own school behaviour management policies and practices. 


Who is responsbile for the supervision students in the Costumed School?

Supervision of students is the responsibility of the visiting teacher at all times, except when changing in and out of costume (please see the Policies tab for our On-Site Supervision Policy and Procedures). This maximises student safety and wellbeing, and is an intergral part of our Child Safety procedures.


Is drinking water available?

All Costumed Schools have bubble taps available for student use. Students wishing to bring their own water bottle will be provided with an appropriate bag in which to carry it. Water bottles are to be of a standard 600ml size, or smaller.