During Term 3, Year 5 students studied the establishment of penal settlements in Australia and in particular, those in the Moreton Bay area. On Friday, 9 October, 49 Year 5 students woke early and travelled by College coach to Manly in Brisbane where they then travelled by ferry to St Helena Island. Here they experienced the life and times of prisoners, government officials and free settlers on this small island originally inhabited by aborigines and then used as a quarantine station for arrivals from England. Students were regaled with several sometimes sad, but often funny stories of what happened back in the mid-1800s on St Helena. Students and staff covered 9km of the island on foot and finally returned to the mainland where they travelled back to Dalby, tired yet very informed and still quite excited. Some students have shared with you their highlights of the day. 

“I really liked how they had strict rules such as; you were not allowed to run on St Helena Island or you would be shot. There was a sugar mill and a lime kiln. Lots of prisoners tried to escape. We saw all the prisoner graves and they had kit numbers. It was amazing.” Madeleine Hemmings 

“It was really funny how Prisoner 78 was (pretending to) cut cane and he chopped his finger off. It was great fun going to St Helena Island for the day. You have to go.” Joshua Barwick 

“I enjoyed the ride to St Helena Island on the ferry and enjoyed viewing the punishments, the old buildings and when Chelsea got married and had 14 kids (as part of the show).” Abby Garvey 

“I liked that they told us more about the olden days, like how women lied about their age and about how Prisoner 1545 committed suicide.” Jacinda Smith 

“I liked watching the guard and Prisoner 78 acting. I also liked learning about how the prison worked.” Harry Burton