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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 9 results
Learning activity
Blinky Bill sketch

Teaching Stage 3 History: Australia as a nation

Teacher Professional Learning
History
Students explore the factors leading to Federation and migration to Australia and how migrants have contributed to Australia’s economic and social development.
Learning activity
View of Sydney Port Jackson, New South Wales, taken from the Rocks on the western side of the Cove. Painted circa 1803.

Teaching Stage 3 History: the Australian colonies

Teacher Professional Learning
History
Students look at the founding of British colonies and the development of a colony and learn about what life was like for different groups in the colonial period.
Learning activity
Three passengers on board the ship, Strathnaver.

Teaching Stage 2 History: community and remembrance

Teacher Professional Learning
History
Students explore the historical features and diversity of their community, and examine significant symbols, emblems, celebrations and commemorations.
Learning activity
Painting of buildings, people walking down a road and a group of people sitting by a fire

Teaching Stage 2 History: first contacts

Teacher Professional Learning
History
Beginning with the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Peoples, students examine European exploration and colonisation in Australia and the world to the early 1800s.
Learning activity
Students and teacher at Gerocery school

Teaching Stage 1 History: the past in the present

Teacher Professional Learning
History
Students study of the history of their local area, examining the remains of the past and why they should be preserved.
Learning activity

Teaching Stage 1 History: past and present family life

Teacher Professional Learning
History
Students learn about present and past family life, their differences and similarities. 
Learning activity

Teaching Early Stage 1 History: personal and family histories

Teacher Professional Learning
History
Students learn about their own History and that of their family and how the past is different from the present. 
Learning activity

What is History? A guide for primary teachers.

Teacher Professional Learning
History
A guide for teachers that has been developed to assist primary school teachers to master changes to the History K-10 Syllabus.

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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