During this thought-provoking and engaging program, students discover that the Museum of Sydney is built over the site of first Government House, from where Captain Arthur Phillip governed the young colony of NSW. This place was also an important site of contact between British and Aboriginal people.
Students are guided through the museum and participate in a variety of structured learning activities that help them to identify different points of view and explain why people in the past may have behaved as they did. They will analyse artworks and displays of artefacts, handle objects, and work in small groups to learn about Aboriginal people’s experiences before and after the arrival of the First Fleet. They will also develop the skill of empathetic understanding as they play a game that demonstrates the challenges of communicating without a shared language.
Stage 2 History
First Contacts
Key inquiry questions:
What was life like for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people before the arrival of Europeans?
What was the nature and consequence of contact between Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and the early traders, explorers and settlers?
HT2-4 Describes and explains effects of British colonisation in Australia
HT2-5 Applies skills of historical inquiry and communication
Cross-curriculum priorities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
Complementary programs: Rats: Convict Tales; Convict Life at the Barracks; Investigating Convict History
Up to 20 Students: $200 Up to 40 Students: $385 Up to 60 Students: $575 Up to 80 Students: $760 Up to 100 Students: $905 Up to 120 Students: $1,055 Up to 140 Students: $1,130 Up to 160 Students: $1,230
You can alter your booking numbers up until 7 days prior to your visit. We will call you a week before your booking to confirm final numbers and requirements. You will be invoiced for the full cost of your program a week prior to your booking. Payment can be made by Credit Card, EFTPOS or cheque (payable to Historic Houses Trust of NSW). Cancellations made within 7 days of a booking will incur the full cost for the program. Cancellations made within 2 weeks of your visit will be invoiced for 50% of the total booking. Cancellations must be made in writing.
Please plan to arrive before the start time of your booked program to allow for cloaking, toilet visits and/or a refreshment break for the students. If you arrive late, some elements and activities may need to be cut from the program to keep to the scheduled finish time.
Large groups will be divided up into smaller groups for activities in the museums.
Bags, food and drinks are not permitted in the museums and cloaking facilities are provided.
Photography policies vary between the museums so please ask a member of staff for details.
Teachers and carers are required to remain with their groups at all times.
Disciplining students remains the responsibility of teachers and carers accompanying the group.
Please let us know before your visit if any of your students have special needs or learning difficulties so we can plan to accommodate their needs during the visit.
The supervision ratio is 1:10 for primary groups and 1:15 for secondary groups. Teachers and parents attend free of charge at these ratios. One carer per student with special needs will be admitted free of charge
Additional visitor costs
Each additional visitor will be charged at the concession rate of $12
As they explore the Macarthur family home, which dates from 1793, students learn about the lives of the family and their convict servants and the impact of colonisation on the traditional owners of the Parramatta area