Exploring First Contact:

British Arrival and Indigenous Perspectives

What’s Inside This Lesson

This lesson helps students explore an important time in Australia’s history: the first meetings between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and British settlers.


Lesson Outcomes

  • ACARA Version 9.0

    Students will:

    • Understand that the British coming to Australia had very different and important impacts on both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and British settlers (AC9HS5K02, AC9HH7K01)
    • Investigate and identify various perspectives and experiences from initial encounters (AC9HS5S04, AC9HH7K02)
    • Look closely at information (primary and secondary sources) to find different points of view (AC9HS5S04, AC9HH7K01)

     

    Students can:

    • Give examples of at least two different perspectives on early encounters between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and British settlers (AC9HS5K02, AC9HS6K01, AC9HH7K01)
    • Create a representation (like a storyboard or short scene) that shows an important part of a particular perspective of initial contact (AC9HS5S04, AC9HS6K03)
    • Give examples of how the British arrival changed the lives of First Nations Peoples (AC9HS5K02AC9HS6K02, AC9HH7K01)
  • Victorian Curriculum Version 2.0

    Students will:

    • Describe the reasons for the British arrival and establishment of colonies in Australia (VCHHK088)
    • Explain the nature of first contact between British settlers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including impacts on daily life and the environment (VCHHK089, VCHHK090)
    • Identify different perspectives and experiences of British and Indigenous groups during first contact (VCHHC084, VCHHK094)

     

    Students can:

    • Give examples of key events and interactions during first contact (VCHHK089, VCHHK090)
    • Create a representation (e.g., diary entry, timeline, or artwork) showing a perspective from first contact (VCHHC085, VCHHC087)
    • Compare how first contact affected different groups in colonial Australia (VCHHC084, VCHHK092)
  • NSW Curriculum

    Students will:

    • Describe the reasons for the British arrival and establishment of colonies in Australia (HT2-3, HT2-4)
    • Explain the nature of first contact between British settlers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including impacts on daily life and the environment (HT2-4)
    • Identify different perspectives and experiences of British and Indigenous groups during first contact (HT2-4, HT2-5)

     

    Students can:

    • Give examples of key events and interactions during first contact (HT2-4)
    • Create a representation (e.g., diary entry, timeline, or artwork) showing a perspective from first contact (HT2-5)
    • Compare how first contact affected different groups in colonial Australia (HT2-4, HT2-5)

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