Beechworth Primary School captain Lily Dobson on Wednesday learned to use Copperplate – a writing style used in the late 1800s with a dip pen nib.
Lily was among students, teachers and staff who took a trip back in time dressing up in period costumes with old-fashioned activities at the school as well as in town to celebrate 150 years of education.
“We had to dip old style pens into the ink, use blotting paper, and then we could write,” she said.
“It's a whole process, but I really like the style of Copperplate as it’s fancy.
“Letters look very different and all swirly, but I love learning how to do it."
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Year six student Miles Brokensha said the class could see what it would have been like for students in 1875.
“Copper plate is very different from modern handwriting, and you have to make the ink work,” he said.
Lily said everyone looked amazing in their costumes with a great deal of effort put in.
“Being a school captain this year is special too because of the school’s 150-year anniversary,” she said.
School principal Susan McDonald said anniversary celebrations on the day was a step back in time to 1875.
“We can experience what the school might have been like back in the day when it was first opened,” she said.
“People will see our students all over the town today, visiting and walking the streets in their costumes and visiting various venues, places and shops."
Year 5/6 school teacher Bethany James said events planned for the day included using old slate boards and having old math lessons involving pounds, shillings and pence.
Others included visiting the Burke Museum for a series of activities, as well as the police paddock.
“We're going to pan for gold and we’re going to go back in time at the museum,” she said.
“Beechworth Bakery has donated scones for the kids, the Beechworth Sweet Company are giving us little old-fashioned bags of boiled sweets that would have been an appropriate treat in 1875 and Beechworth Pharmacy has got a little display of old medicines for us as well.
“Beechworth Toys and Collectibles has donated games for us to play at school too.”
Ms James said the community and businesses have been incredibly supportive of the school with its celebrations.
“We are so lucky to have such a wonderful community supporting our kids with this amazing experience that I hope they will remember forever,” she said.
“Students have put so much effort into their costumes as have all the teachers and staff.”
Ms McDonald also acknowledged and thanked the Burke Museum for its partnership with the school to prepare for the Wednesday event including the set up in the police paddocks with activities for the students as well as in the museum.
She also thanked Beechworth Bakery, the confectionary shop with little surprises for the students, the toy shop and other business supporters.
Ms McDonald said the community is invited to help celebrate the school's milestone at its fete on Saturday (tomorrow), 18 October from 11am to 2pm with lots of activities.
