Embedded Files
History Stage 2 and Stage 4/5 Life skills
About the resource
About the resource
This resource outlines the enormous contribution that NSW school students and teachers made in support of Australia's involvement in the First World War.
It can be used by students for research and source analysis. It supports the history topics:
Stage 2 Community and Remembrance
Stage 4/5 Life Skills The Making of the Modern World – Australians at War: World Wars I and II (1914–1918, 1939–1945)
The resource also supports the At School At War program offered at the NSW Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education (paused for 2022).
Inquiry questions
Inquiry questions
How did NSW school children and teachers contibute on the home front to the First World War?
What is the significance of Anzac Day and how and why do people remember it?
Some of the twenty wool spinners at Delroy School. Teacher Mr Arnold Weber. The school spinners spun wool for the War Chest.The Education Gazette, 1 June 1918, p.195
Introduction
Introduction
As fathers, brothers, teachers and neighbours left to fight the Great War, NSW school students and teachers took an active role in the war effort back home.
They raised money for relief funds in support of the Belgian orphans and various other patriotic funds. Clothing and food was sent to the French orphans and comfort items were knitted for the soldiers by boys and girls and informal junior Red Cross groups.
Patriotism and pride in Australia’s contribution to the war was built through school lessons, assemblies, The School Magazine and participation in Empire Day and Australia Day celebrations. Empire Day 1915 was particularly significant in celebrating the strength of the British Empire and working alongside her allies.
With the introduction of compulsory military training in Australia from 1911 for boys 12 years and over, schools were the training ground for Junior Cadets. The whole school was involved in daily physical exercises with the intent of building a healthy and strong war-ready nation.
This is evidenced in the North Ryde Public School ex-students who enlisted, some within the first few weeks of war. Their stories show courage, commitment and pride.
Vegetable growing in front garden of Five Dock Public School. In supportof the Soldiers' Fruit and Vegetable Fund.The Education Gazette, 1 Jan 1918, p.7
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands of people using this resource. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise the continuing learning systems of Aboriginal Peoples and acknowledge the impact of past government policies on the education of Aboriginal children and on returned Aboriginal defence force personnel.
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