In 3/4/5 we have been learning about Australian History, specifically Colonisation of Australia and convicts that came to Australia in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s.

To celebrate the hard work the students have completed, we visited Cascades Female Factory and learnt a true story about an 11-year-old girl Mary Derrick, who was sentenced to transportation when she was 11 years old. She left the female factory when she was 19. Whilst serving her time there, she was punished at the factory for acts like talking whilst working (washing clothes), being rebellious and more.

We also learnt about convict history, why people were transported to Van Diemen’s Land and what life was like at the time. They compared what life was like then with now (through hand washing and making a Victorian era toy) - pictured.

Students were really engaged throughout the visit and were asking so many questions about what life was like then and how it would’ve looked whilst on our tour of the factory.