3 June 2025
Year 3 students and their teachers from Point Cook Prep-9 College learnt a bit about their own history on a visit to the RAAF Museum at Point Cook in May.
The college, which has a biplane on its logo, started as Point Cook Primary School in 1923 in a modest one-room building still located on the airbase.
During a scavenger hunt through the Museum, 110 excited students learnt about Air Force’s four Victoria Cross recipients after whom their college’s four 'houses' are named, as well as the school’s long and rich connection with RAAF Base Point Cook.
Point Cook College Sub-School Principal Jenni Gigas said the students had an “amazing” excursion experience.
“The kids had an absolute ball and they were especially stoked to see the old school,” Ms Gigas said.
“Back in 1923, Point Cook Primary School was one of the first schools in the region, originally designed for the children of parents serving on the base, because there was nothing else out here.
“There were less than 50 children enrolled then and today we have something like 1300, so it’s great to see how we’ve grown and get an insight into how far we’ve come because the kids don’t know their local history or understand its importance, and that’s why we’re looking into it this term for our Explore Unit.”
'Point Cook Primary School was one of the first schools in the region, originally designed for the children of parents serving on the base because there was nothing else out here.'
Year 3 Coordinator Robyn Morris said the opportunity to see aircraft up close in the museum “really brought history classes alive” for the students, while their encounter with Point Cook College’s original schoolroom yielded some insightful contrasts between yesterday and today’s teaching environments.
“They noticed how times have changed,” Ms Morris said.
“No TVs. There were blackboards instead of whiteboards and hooks outside the building for the kids’ bags instead of secure lockers inside.
“This was such an amazing experience that we’re looking into building it into our history curriculum and repeating the excursion next year.”
Officer in Charge of the RAAF Museum Wing Commander Michelle McPhail said staff always enjoyed telling Air Force’s story to curious and enthusiastic students, but that the college’s visit “was pretty special” because of the school’s historical connections with the base.
“It was like an extended family reunion,” Wing Commander McPhail said.
“The Year 3s had really done their homework and impressed us with how much they already knew about their shared history with RAAF Base Point Cook.
“We can’t wait for their next visit.”
