The trial HSC for 2019 has begun and critics of the Ancient History paper have lashed out at the Department of Education claiming one of the questions was far too hard. Expecting softballs about Ancient Greek democracy, or dictatorial rule in Ancient Rome, students were stunned when they were asked to recall the bygone era when the Parramatta Eels used to win Premierships.
“Shit, I can’t remember back that far,” said 18-year-old, Bec Lee. “I was born in 2001, this is way too far back for a kid like me.”
Quick to defend their choice of question, the Department immediately went on the offensive.
“Kids need to know all history and it’s a matter of public record that yes there did exist a time when Parramatta actually took out the Premiership,” said Penny Sternface (63).
Although the Department refuses to back down, they have acknowledged a gap in young people’s knowledge and plan to explore the time when spear tackles were allowed, blood on your face was mandatory, and players spent their days working and not pouring money into poker machines.