Bring history to life at Cockatoo Island/Wareamah
Imagine you could step out of the classroom, board a ferry with your students and journey to the distant past – that would make for an immersive history lesson!
Okay, so time travel might not be possible (yet)… but an excursion to Cockatoo Island / Wareamah is arguably the next best thing.
Located in the heart of Sydney Harbour, the island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where primary and high school groups can engage meaningfully with Australia’s layered history.
A range of new curriculum-based education programs are available Monday to Friday, providing students with opportunities to explore a former prison as well as a once-bustling naval dockyard – and interact with historical objects.
A memorable excursion without all the homework
School excursions are a great way to spark curiosity among your students, make abstract ideas tangible, and reinforce and extend what they have learned in the classroom. However, they can be time-consuming for time-poor teachers to arrange.
Fortunately, Cockatoo Island’s education programs have been developed with teachers and students in mind. They help teachers meet the requirements of the updated NSW K–6 HSIE and NSW History 7–10 syllabuses. Meanwhile, students are assisted to meet the relevant learning outcomes. Specifically, the programs are tied to curriculum outcomes for Stages 2, 3 and 5 and can be modified to meet the learning needs of Stage 1 and Stage 6.
Plus, each program is run by a specialist guide who uses proven teaching strategies, including scaffolding and Socratic questioning, to guide students to examine historical sources with a critical eye, ask relevant questions and deepen their understanding of the past.
To save teachers time and ensure they book with confidence, Cockatoo Island’s education team has prepared a comprehensive risk assessment for visiting schools, as well as student resources for each program and an informative teachers’ handbook.
The handbook provides details on each education program, including their curriculum outcomes. It also offers useful information to help teachers plan their excursion – namely, how to get to Cockatoo Island by ferry, safety and accessibility considerations, and on-site food and beverage options.
Flexible options and straightforward pricing
Different teachers have different preferences, and time can be a scarce resource – especially if a school group is travelling from a regional or remote area. Cockatoo Island’s education team understand this. They’ve built flexibility into their education programs so teachers can choose something that best suits them and their students.
Available programs include three guided tours, an object-handling session, and a hybrid experience that combines a tour with an object-handling session. Tours are available in two formats – a 60-minute version and a 90-minute version. Meanwhile, the object handling session is a 60-minute experience.
Here’s a quick rundown of the options:
Tours
The Convicts of Cockatoo Island (Stage 2)
Students examine the establishment of a British penal colony in NSW, consider what it was like to be a convict serving time at the island and explore historic prison buildings. School groups receive pre- and post-program resources. Find out more here.
The Colony and Cockatoo Island (Stage 2)
Students examine the role of the island as a prison for secondary offenders (1839 to 1869) and consider the experience of Chinese migrants who were jailed here during Australia’s gold rush era. School groups receive pre- and post-program resources. Find out more here.
Movement of Peoples: Site Study (Stage 5)
Students examine the island’s remnant convict buildings and, in doing so, consider what it was like to be a convict. They also reflect on the legacy of convict transportation to Australia, including its impact on First Nations peoples. School groups receive a workbook to accompany the program. Find out more here.
Object-handling session (Stages 2, 3 and 5)
Students analyse primary sources – namely, artefacts from Cockatoo Island’s history – and apply their critical thinking skills. They also gain insights into the role played by archaeologists and curators in constructing history. Find out more here.
Hybrid experience: Tour and object-handling session (Stages and & 5)
Stage 2 and 5 groups can pair a 60- or 90-minute tour with the object-handling session and enjoy an extended outing. Find out more here.
How much does it cost?
Pricing is straightforward. 60-minute experiences are $10 per student and 90-minute experiences are $14 per students. Meanwhile, hybrid experiences range from $20 to $24 per students depending on whether an object-handling session is paired with a 60- or 90-minute tour.
Best of all? Teachers, supervisors, SLSOs and Teacher’s Aides are free. Homeschool group bookings include free admission for two parents/carers plus children under school age. Additional parents/carers can be added to a booking at a cost of $10 each.
Although ferry travel is not included in the rates for Cockatoo Island’s education programs, it is relatively inexpensive and adds to a unique experience. Plus, getting to the island by ferry is easy! The F3 and F8 services operate to Cockatoo Island daily, departing from Circular Quay and Barangaroo, as well as from wharves along Parramatta River.
10 reasons to learn on Cockatoo Island
- Stages 2, 3 and 5 programs that complement classroom lessons.
- There’s plenty of variety with immersive tours and object-handling sessions.
- Programs can be modified to meet Stage 1 and Stage 6 outcomes.
- Programs are run by specialist guides using proven teaching strategies.
- Teachers receive resources, including workbooks, for their students.
- Programs cost $10 to $24 per student, depending on your preference.
- Free admission for teachers, as well as supervisors, SLSOs and teacher’s aides.
- School groups of all sizes are welcome, including homeschool groups.
- Programs are easy to book and a risk assessment is provided.
- Getting to Cockatoo Island by ferry is easy…and it’s fun!
School camps also available
Why stop at an education program? Check into Cockatoo Island’s campground with your school group for a truly unforgettable adventure!
Bordered by eye-catching historical landmarks, the island’s waterfront campground is a great launch pad for exploration. Plus, all campers have access to dedicated facilities, including showers, toilets and a communal kitchen with barbeques. Prices start at $45 for an unpowered camping site that sleeps up to four students. Packages with pre-pitched tents are also available.
Do you have an idea for a story?Email rcox@intermedia.com.au
