In 1788 the first ship load of convicts arrived in the colony of New South Wales. Over 1000 convicts arrived under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip. What were these First Fleeters like? What were there crimes? Search the First Fleet Database to locate information on each of the convicts.

IMMERSION QUESTIONS How long did the trip take? Did everyone survive the trip? What provisions did they bring with them? How long was the term of their transportation? How many convicts were given life sentences? How many of the convicts were women? Did any convicts escape? Who was the youngest known convict and what was his/her crime? Answer these questions on the Convicts in the Colony worksheet. TASKS 1. Complete a table of the ships of the First Fleet. Include name, size, purpose and commander. 2. Imagine you are one of the First Fleet convicts. You are able to write a letter home to your mother describing the conditions in the penal colony of New South Wales. Use Microsoft Word to word process your letter. 3. Use the map of the world template to draw the route taken by the First Fleet ships in 1787. Label the places visited and the oceans crossed. 4. Imagine you have been appointed the new governor of the colony and have the power to grant pardons to 3 prisoners. Who would you choose and why? Complete a Data Chart for each convict. Compare the skills/age/attributes of the convicts to arrive at your choice of convicts to be pardoned. Present your findings as a certificate of pardon using Publisher. RESEARCH Use these weblinks to help with your research. First Fleet Database Ships of the First Fleet Convict Tales CONCLUSION Present your completed tasks by Wednesday, March 28 2006.