State car number-plates declare’ New South Wales- The Premier State’. In one sense it simply means ‘ The First State’ but in another it means ‘The Best State’- the state whose capital city is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The truth is that, while Sydney remains the oldest and largest city in Australia, the state continues to enjoy its ‘premier’ position. It is, by any definition, a remarkable city. Starting over 200 years ago as a penal colony at the end of the earth, it has dragged itself up by the bootstraps. The beauty of its setting and the mildness of its climate make it a near-perfect place to live.

The beauty of New South Wales extends beyond simply having Sydney as its capital. Although it takes up only 10% of Australia it has a diversity of landform, climate and vegetation which is richer and more complex than any other state, with tropical rainforests in the north, Alpine ski slopes in the south, seemingly endless beaches on the east coast and deserts in the west.

Until 1870, children in England did not have to go to school. Children from rich families went to school but poor families could not not afford to pay for education. Poor children had to go to work to help their parents. After 1870
the government made school places available to young children for a very smallpayment. By 1902 education was free and every child aged between five and thirteen had to attend school.

At school, children were taught reading, writing, arithmethic and religion. The children sat at their desks, chanting spellings and tables over and over again and copying words onto slates. At other times they did some geography and history, drawing, singing, and physical exercise. Disciplinewas very strict and children were beaten if they made mistakes in their work.