Education programs

Tour: The Convicts of Cockatoo Island  (Stage 2) 

Available as 60- or 90-minute tour | 60-min version – $10 per student | 90-min version – $14 per students | Resources included

Students examine the establishment of a British penal colony in NSW, consider what it was like to be a convict serving time at Cockatoo Island and explore historic prison buildings. School groups receive pre- and post-program resources.

Stage 2 outcome: HS2-HIS-01

Tour: The Colony and Cockatoo Island (Stage 2)

Available as 60- or 90-minute tour | 60-min version – $10 per student | 90-min version – $14 per students | Resources included

Students examine the role of Cockatoo 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.

Stage 2 outcome: HS2-HIS-01

Tour: Movement of Peoples: Site Study (Stage 5)

Available as 60- or 90-minute tour | 60-min version – $10 per student | 90-min version – $14 per students | Resources included

Students examine Cockatoo Island’s remnant convict building 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 worksheet to accompany the program.

Stage 5 outcomes: HI5-SPE-01, HI5-IEP-01, HI5-SOU-01, HI5-INQ-01

Object-handling session (Stages 2, 3 and 5)

A 60-minute experience | $10 per student | Resources included

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.  This is a 60-minute experience.

Stage 2 Outcome: HS2-HIS-01
Stage 3 Outcome: HS3-HIS-01
Stage 5 Outcomes: HI5-SOU-01, HI5-INQ-01

Hybrid experience: Tour and object-handling session (Stages and & 5)

60-minute tour with object-handling session – $20 per student | 90-minute tour with object-handling session – $24 per student | Resources included

Stage 2 and 5 groups can pair one of our 60- or 90-minute tours with the object-handling session and enjoy an extended outing. Available as a 2 hour or 2.5 hours experience.