Humanities History What is History? When asked, the loquacious students of 7 Jerome replied “the past.” A pause, then — “something old” “it can tell a story, or many stories” “it can show us cultures, new and old” “sometimes it’s a myth” “it can tell about wars” “about what has changed and what hasn’t” “History can be five years ago or five thousand” “It can tell us why” “We use evidence to find answers” “It is connected to our identity” “History created us” Students at each year level are engaged in studying history, whether making models from ancient Egypt, researching past lives in medieval times, asking how aborigines have fought for equal rights, asking what young Australians have fought for in our modern wars, meeting with Holocaust survivors from Nazi occupied Europe, interviewing Australian Vietnam War Veterans, or investigating why revolutions have occurred and what new societies have been created. According to Matthew Northage (7 Jerome), “a citizen of the world should study History because it is very valuable to learn about what made us, us. History is also fun to learn if you love learning.” Learning History at De La Salle can give students knowledge and skills and confidence to understand themselves and the world. Mr Chris Fleming
In October Year 10 History classes journeyed to the Jewish Holocaust and Research Centre in Elsternwick. There the boys heard the testimony of Holocaust survivors and examined photographs and personal effects and records of those who were persecuted. “After hearing the account from John, I felt true sorrow for his experiences and at the same time I felt lucky to be who I am. To hear his troubles made me see mine as truly insignificant. At the museum there was a picture of three men being tortured...one of the men being tortured now lives in New York as a successful writer. I find it inspiring to see such human courage and strength in the face of that evil. The survivors would wish us to live a life of no hate. They told us that people all have red blood and are mostly the same. And that hate is a disease, a sickness not to bear.” Xavier Fitzgerald “The Jews are forever grateful to the Allies for rescuing them from the Nazi death camps. The woman, Kitty, told us never to be a perpetrator, never be a victim and never be a bystander. Believe in the power of one.” Stefan Nowak
Year 7 History
Our Egyptologists in 7 Vincent are seen here engrossed in the process of mummification. Each student was assigned a role to play, and the boys groaned as the internal organs were removed and placed in canopic jars. Of great interest were the anointing and refilling of the abdominal cavity. After this, boys wearing a mask of a god recited the prayers of the dead while the body (our doll in this case) was wrapped and placed in the sarcophagus. According to Egyptian teaching, the boys, having prepared the body well, were sure it wouId enjoy a good afterlife. Mrs Ruth Hunter 31
