On Tuesday the 10th of June, 2025, Year 4 students stepped back in time on an exciting excursion to The Rocks, Sydney, as part of their HSIE unit on European exploration and colonisation. Guided by the enthusiastic team from Ranger Jamie Tours, students dressed in costumes representing convicts, soldiers, free settlers, and Captain Arthur Phillip himself—setting the scene for an immersive historical experience.

Throughout the day, students participated in engaging tours exploring topics such as convict life, housing conditions, daily jobs, and even the unexpected challenges wealthy individuals at the time were facing. 

Students visited significant historical sites, including Australia’s first bank, hospital, and police station—each built by convict labour. They discovered that convicts were only paid 10 cents a day and had to carve their initials into each sandstone block as proof of their work.

The experience deepened students’ understanding of why European settlers sought new lands, how early colonists lived, and the difficult conditions faced by convicts—sometimes sharing tiny homes with up to 11-15 people. Most importantly, it has laid the foundation for students to explore the impact of colonisation from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in future lessons.

It was an eye-opening and educational day for all, and Year 4 students are already hoping for another chance to step back into Australia’s colonial past!

- Alex L (4G), Everly M (4R) and Chloe K (4B)