Ashfield historical site study

Suitable for: Teachers, educators

Learning stage: School history curriculum for stages 5 and 6, Years 7-10

Learning area: The modern world and Australia

Contains: Presentation PowerPoint, teachers notes, historical sources and biography, question sheet for students, detailed syllabus links, historical sources and extended bibliography of relevant items from Inner West Libraries’ collection.

Overview

The Djarrawunang ward of the Inner West Council which includes the Sydney suburbs of Ashfield and Summer Hill is the focus of this site.

The study encourages students to investigate local history, and how it has changed over time, using a wide and diverse range of primary and secondary sources. These date from February 1788 up to 2021 census data that provide information on the Indigenous community, changing demographics, dwellings and land use, Chinese immigration, as well as introducing a few past residents like Sir Henry Parkes and Quong Tart.

Teachers will have everything they need for the mandated site study in the NSW Years 7–10 History Syllabus and can be used in the classroom and if possible also combined with visits to the sites mentioned.

It aims to develop student skills in the use and analysis of sources needed to undertake an historical inquiry, the communication of their results and to foster an interest in local history. It consists of comprehensive historical sources, teacher’s notes with resources, syllabus links and bibliography, a PowerPoint for classroom use, and student worksheets.