Immigration is a day program which traces the journeys of immigrants arriving in Australia and particularly Queensland from the earliest settlements through to post World War II and importantly, today. The program focuses on gaining an insight into why people choose to immigrate to Australia, where they come from and what they contribute to Australia and our society.
On the day, Immigration unfolds in the same sites that Queensland's immigrants have travelled, giving authentic context to their stories and experiences. The students' journey begins on board our boat, Inspiration, as they cross Moreton Bay in the footsteps of the first colonial immigrants. On board, students experience life on the early immigrant ships and explore information from historical documents.
Landing at Lytton Quarantine Station, the welcome received by immigrants arriving post World War I through the medium of drama and role-play is experienced. Upon landing, students are in role as they retrace the journey of immigrants as they are processed through the Quarantine Station participating in theatre scenes and dramatic explorations of the buildings and site. Finally, students examine historical sources to build an appreciation of immigration post World War II and, in role, reflect on the needs and experiences of immigrants at this time.
Throughout the program, students are asked to immerse themselves actively in the various elements of the day. They are encouraged to articulate questions, formulate answers, participate in problem solving and ask ethical questions on many levels. Students are presented with many opportunities to reflect on their experiences during the day and to present their own perspective on how immigrants will continue to contribute to Australia today and into the future.
Curriculum Intent
Humanities and Social Sciences
Inquiry and Skills
Researching
Locate and collect relevant information and data from primary and secondary sources (ACHASSI123)
Sequence information about people’s lives, events, developments and phenomena using a variety of methods including timelines (ACHASSI125)
Analysing
Examine primary and secondary sources to determine their origin and purpose (ACHASSI126)
Examine different viewpoints on actions, events, issues and phenomena in the past and present (ACHASSI127)
Evaluating and reflecting
- Evaluate evidence to draw conclusions (ACHASSI129)
Historical Knowledge and Understanding
Experiences of Australian democracy and citizenship, including the status and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, migrants, women and children (ACHASSK135)
Stories of groups of people who migrated to Australia since Federation (including from ONE country of the Asia region) and reasons they migrated (ACHASSK136)
The contribution of individuals and groups to the development of Australian society since Federation (ACHASSK137)
General Capabilities
Critical and creative thinking
- Inquiring- identifying, exploring and organising information and ideas
Intercultural understanding
Recognising culture and developing respect
Interacting and empathising with others
Reflecting on intercultural experiences and taking responsibility
Personal and social capability
Ethical understanding
Literacy
- Comprehending texts through listening, reading and viewing
Cross-curriculum Priorities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait histories and cultures
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities maintain a special connection to and responsibility for Country/Place throughout all of Australia
Sustainability
- The sustainability of ecological, social and economic systems is achieved through informed individual and community action that values local and global equity and fairness across generations into the future
C2C
HASS Unit 2 ‘Australians as Citizens’