Why were convicts transported to Australia? Find out about what life was like for First Fleet convicts when they got to Australia.
Activities
- Imagine you are a First Fleet convict. Write a diary entry on your daily life as a convict serving your punishment in New South Wales.
- Create an idea for a new law that you would like Australians to follow today. Write a persuasive text to convince your teacher that this should become a law.
Australian Curriculum links
Year 4 History
Stories of the First Fleet, including reasons for the journey, who travelled to Australia, and their experiences following arrival (ACHASSK085)
Year 3 Civics and Citizenship
Who makes rules, why rules are important and the consequences of rules not being followed (ACHASSK071)
Year 4 Civics and Citizenship
The differences between rules and laws, why laws are important and how they affect the lives of people, including experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (ACHASSK092)
Related resources
Captivity Narratives
14:51
Australia's convict history: prison or paradise?
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