Through these programmes, students gain insight into different lives and key events in the history of the early colony, the hardships and achievements of James Ruse, a poor farmer, and the power and affluence of John Harris, a military surgeon. Comparisons will be made between colonial and indigenous ways of life, and how one impacted the other. Activities include seed-planting, early water-carrying techniques, plant identification (native and introduced) and colonial medicine-making and housekeeping.
Booking price includes downloadable pre- and post-visit lesson packs to help you get the best learning outcomes from your excursion to our iconic historic property.
Stage 3 – COLONY, COUNTRY AND CONFLICT
History – Technology – Geography
Updated December 2019
Consider the importance of James Ruse’s successful farming experiment for the survival of the colony and its impact both on the landscape of the local area and its Indigenous communities. Examine and contrast the differences in food, medicine, law and culture between colonial and Aboriginal societies. Through group activities, investigate how misunderstanding between cultures caused conflict and change in the early colony of New South Wales. Discuss the differences between the lives of poor farmers like Ruse and wealthy landowners like Surgeon John Harris and how this influenced the development of Australia as a nation.
| STUDENTS WILL | AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM | NSW SYLLABUS |
|---|---|---|
| Consider the differences in land use, law and culture between local Aboriginal people and British colonists. Participate hands-on in farming and foraging plants. How did they source and produce food, heal the sick and resolve conflict? | ACHASSK112 ACHASSK113 ACHASSI095 ACHASSI123 | HT 3-4 |
| Investigate the ways that colonists from the first fleet onwards tried to survive in the colony of New South Wales. Explore and discuss how their ways clashed with those of the Indigenous people and how misunderstandings led to war on the streets of Parramatta. | ACHASSI099 ACHASSI102 ACHASSK107 ACHASSI127 ACHASSI130 | HT 3-1 HT 3-4 |
| Discover how Surgeon John Harris went from being a ship’s doctor to one of the most powerful men in Australia, and how he influenced the development of the colony. | ACHASSK107 ACHASSK110 | HT 3-2 HT 3-3 |
| Examine genuine colonial artefacts and models to evaluate the differences between the lifestyles of convicts, emancipists and wealthy settlers in early colonial Australia. | ACHASSI100 ACHASSK110 ACHASSI100 ACHASSI128 | HT 3-2 HT 3-5 |
Booking Information
Maximum number of students: 60
Teachers: minimum 1 to 10 pupils
Cost: $10 per student
Joint bookings with Old Government House programmes: $22 per pupil
Education Booking Enquiry - Parramatta
Booking Enquiry form for Old Government House & Experiment Farm Cottage
