Year 4 Immersed in the early History of Sydney and the First Fleet

Year 4 Excursion Recap – further to our story from last week

On 8 November, Year 4 embarked on an exciting excursion to Bare Island, immersing themselves in the history of early Sydney and Australia’s First Nations people. The day was filled with interactive learning experiences that brought our history lessons to life.

Students began by exploring Aboriginal artefacts, where they had the opportunity to hold and examine traditional tools, learning how they were used for hunting, gathering, and daily life. The session highlighted the incredible knowledge and skills of the First Nations people, who have lived on this land for over 60,000 years. We also discussed the native animals that shared the environment, with students getting a close-up look at taxidermy specimens.

Next, we moved on to learn about the early European explorers who arrived in Australia, including Captain Cook’s historic landing at Botany Bay and the journey of the French explorer La Pérouse. The students were especially fascinated by the story of Matthew Flinders and his adventurous cat, Trim. Using natural materials, the class even had the chance to build small model ships, imagining themselves as explorers setting sail on new voyages.

The convict life session gave the students a glimpse into the harsh realities faced by the convicts who were sent to Australia. Through role-play activities, some of our students dressed up in convict uniforms, learning about the difficult journey on the First Fleet and the strict rules they lived under once they arrived. The discussion about the different ranks of soldiers and their roles in the early colony helped students understand the challenges of establishing a new settlement.

The highlight of the day was the guided tour of Bare Island Fort. Students were led through historic rooms, including the gun emplacements and the Commander’s Post. The guide explained the strategic importance of the fort in protecting Sydney’s coast and how the cannons were used to defend against potential attacks. The tour gave everyone a sense of what life might have been like for soldiers stationed there over a century ago.

Overall, it was a fantastic day filled with hands-on learning, storytelling, and exploration, helping our students connect with the history of our city and understand the different perspectives of the people who lived here in the past.

Student Reflection: Excursion

Vaani Narang (Class 4A)

On 8 November, Year 4 went on an excursion to Bare Island. I had a lot of fun. We began our adventure with going on a tour of the whole island. During the tour we saw and learnt about all the cannons that the soldiers used. My favourite part of the excursion was when we acted as convicts. We each got a card of a convict and saw what their crime was; we also were able to see if that convict was sentenced to prison for seven years, 14 years or for life. Another part of the excursion that I loved was seeing all the artefacts. We even got to use the clapping sticks. This excursion was a wonderful experience to learn about the First Fleet and how their journey was to Australia.

– Maria-Louise Chami
Teacher

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