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Newsflash:

The Library is open over the October long weekend, with reduced hours on Monday 2 October 2023. View the long weekend opening hours here.

Primary schools

From Early Stage 1 to 3

Primary schools

Primary schools

Early Stage 1 to Stage 3

Our primary learning programs are designed to connect students and teachers to the extraordinary collections held by the State Library. They can be enjoyed onsite, online and across NSW.

All learning experiences are linked to the NSW Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum and are designed to inspire curiosity, invite conversation and encourage creative responses.

A group of children painting, reading and writing

Atlas

Atlas is a FREE junior membership program is for all young people aged 5 to 15 years in New South Wales, and beyond!

First Fleet learning activities

This comprehensive unit of work covers the journey of the First Fleet, the early days of the colony, Aboriginal perspectives, and profiles of two little-known convict women. The 13 learning activities provide a one-stop shop for your Stage 2 study of First Contacts.

View the learning activities

Showing 117 results
Learning activity

Talkin’ like a convict

Stage 2
History
Students study the unique language used by First Fleet convicts in the early days of the colony.
Virtual excursion
Boy uses laptop in gallery

Virtual excursion for your class only

Stage 2
Stage 3
English
History

Arrange an exclusive learning experience for your students.

Virtual excursion
young child wearing headphones

Storytime online

Early Stage 1
Stage 1
English

Featuring some of Australia’s greatest picture book authors and illustrators, these virtual sessions bring them into your classrooms.

Virtual excursion
Map with island in shape of a pig

Magical story maps

Stage 2
Stage 3
English

Put the ‘creative’ back into creative writing — turn a blank piece of paper into a map of a magical land! 

Virtual excursion
Drawing of bushland

Exploring our environment

Stage 2
Geography

Take a walk with us and investigate our land’s unique geography.  

Learning activity

Unfurling the First Fleet: introduction

Stage 2
History
An introduction to the learning activities exploring the First Fleet, using the Library's unrivalled collection.
Learning activity

Challenges to convict survival

Stage 2
History
Students explore the difficulties of survival for First Fleet convicts. 
Learning activity
Woman holding sepia photograph

Sydney elders: oral histories

Stage 3
History
Students will examine oral histories as important and valuable sources to find out about the past and form an understanding of the contributions made by Aboriginal elders.

Onsite excursion: before you visit

Plan your visit

make a booking enquiry

Venue and safety information for school excursion

Bus subsidy program: The Library offers K-12 school students from DET schools in the Greater Sydney region, access to FREE bus travel to visit the Library 

School students | What should I know before I visit?

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