Heave Ho! Year 5 Discover the Secrets of an Early Penal Colony

The Year 5 cohort had their learning enhanced with an experiential excursion to a penal settlement in Moreton Bay. They bore the elements and learnt about the harsh life of a prisoner and much about the history of Brisbane and the judicial system in the 1800's.

After boarding a vessel at Manly en route to the heritage listed ruins of St Helena Island Prison, the weather turned a little nasty and offered insight into how treacherous life was on the Bay, and how island life was not all sunshine and coconuts! It is said of this timeless school excursion, “Be glad you went and grateful you weren’t sent”. That sentiment truly resonated with the boys and they embraced all the learning activities offered.

Sentenced to a day on St Helena, these "hardened criminals" (our learners) had much to explore and they accepted their sentence gladly. After braving the rocky sea and cold, wet, and windy conditions, they were transported to another era, and embraced the role of 'prisoners for a day'. They journeyed through time and terrain, endured lashings of historical facts, unyielding storytelling and reenactments, and were entertained by their captor's inescapable thematic humour.

Students returned to the mainland as good citizens, weary but full of new learning and stories to tell, and grateful for their mates, their freedom, and their liberating education.

Maryanne Gillespie

Year 5 Coordinator