Last term, our Year 10 History students were diving into the fascinating world of historical artifacts and colonial legacies through the ABC TV series Stuff the British Stole. The series explores the complex and often controversial journeys of cultural items taken during the British Empire’s expansion.

As part of their exam, students focused on four powerful episodes:

· The Crown Jewels – exploring symbols of imperial power and contested ownership.

· An Egyptian Mummy in Australia – raising questions about museum ethics and cultural repatriation.

· Rubber – uncovering the environmental and human cost of colonial exploitation.

· Matthinna – the heartbreaking story of an Aboriginal child removed from her community.

Students used Venn diagrams to compare and contrast the historical contexts, ethical issues, and cultural impacts of each artifact. They also developed and answered both open and closed questions, encouraging deeper thinking and discussion around ownership, identity, and justice.

This unit has helped students build critical thinking skills while engaging with real-world historical debates. It’s been a powerful reminder that history isn’t just about the past—it’s about how we understand and shape the present.