The Year 8's enjoyed a half day trip to Gordon where we met with Trish from Nita Education who told us about early interactions between French explorers and Aboriginal people. The students learnt about why the d'Entrecasteaux came to Tasmania and why so many places in Tasmania have French names. They learnt about how the French explorers and scientists were amazed by the skills Tasmanian aboriginals showed with spear throwing, boat making and the length of time women could stay underwater whilst gathering food like abalone. It was also noted how Aboriginal people had ceremonies for the dead, which was something that those from Europe considered to be a sign of a civilised society. The crew and the lyluequonny people they met at Recherche bay sang songs together and had peaceable interactions on the whole, sharing produce and managing to communicate through basic signing. We learnt how letters were written by Nicolas Boudin to Governor Philip King in Sydney expressing unease with occupying land that already has inhabitants. It was great to speak to Trish and for her to be so detailed in her answers to questions from our students. After our slideshow and discussion, students enjoyed stone skipping, looking for crabs and identifying shells and one student even discovered a rock that had been used to make tools by Aboriginal people in the past, showing how this history surrounds us and is still part of our story.