Multicultural Connections

Walyalup/Fremantle is famed for its multicultural heart, built on the contributions of its Traditional Owners and Immigrant inhabitants. 

Explore the WA Shipwrecks Museum with this digital trail to discover how exploration, trade, and settlement have connected Western Australia to the world throughout history. 

Access the Experience Plus digital guide trail either directly from a smart phone or with any online device by simply scanning the QR code at the Museum, or by following the link to the Multicultural Connections trail on the WA Museum Experience Plus digital guide web platform.  

At the Museum

What your class will experience

In small groups, and with the assistance of their adult helper, students participating in this experience will:

• Start their trail outside the Museum, considering the significance of Manjaree as an important place of trade, culture and ceremony for Aboriginal people for thousands of years. (Optional further exploration across the railway tracks towards Bathers Beach)
• Explore the Museum galleries by following the digital trail prompts, viewing engaging artefacts and objects along the way.
• Learn about Western Australia’s historic connections to cultures from around the world.
• Reflect on the development of Fremantle into the multiculturally influenced city of today.

Duration

Multicultural Connections is a self-paced and self-guided trail. Recommended duration is approximately 60 minutes. 

Booking instructions

Multicultural Connections is a free self-guided Museum education program, however bookings are essential as visitor numbers to the Museum need to be managed. 

Step 1 – Creating your Class Rotation

• If you are bringing more than one class, it is important that you create a proposed rotation for your visit so that you know when each class is participating in the activity. It is recommended only one class at a time completes the trail inside the Museum to avoid congestion. Ensure you have alternate activities planned for groups not completing the digital trail (ideally outside the Museum to avoid overcrowding in the galleries). See Additional Activities listed below.
• This trail is best experienced in small groups from a singular class, with each small group ideally supervised by an accompanying adult (see Adult Supervision ratios in Planning Your Visit below).
• The trail follows an approximate chronology, so preferably should be completed from beginning to end. Groups should be staggered to allow for effective small group interaction with gallery displays and prevent crowding. 
• The Museum can accommodate up to 5 self-guided sessions per day, with available time-slots inside the Museum of 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm during term time. Each session needs to be booked separately.

Step 2 – Making a booking

Please send an email to education@museum.wa.gov.au with the following details and we will begin to process your booking.

1. Program choice: Multicultural Connections at WA Shipwrecks Museum
2. Preferred visit dates and session times
3. Number of classes and student numbers in each class
4. Number of attending adults per class
5. Contact Teacher name, email and mobile number
6. School name

Step 3 – Planning your visit

• Don’t forget to read the Planning Your Visit section below so you are prepared for your visit to the Museum.

Please email education@museum.wa.gov.au or call us on 1300 134 081 to discuss other booking options if the above is not suitable.

Booking Conditions

• We may need to refuse entry if we are already at capacity at your selected Museum and you haven't pre-booked.
• A minimum supervisor ratio of 1 adult to 10 students is required, however a ratio of 1 to 6 is preferred for this activity.
• Bookings need to be made 14 days before the date of your visit.
• Changes to dates and times are subject to availability.

Curriculum Links

Programs and exhibitions at the WA Museum support teachers in their delivery of the WA Curriculum to their students. 

Our self-guided activities encourage students to engage with the whole Museum, appreciate its collection in sometimes new or different ways, and consider what different sources of information can reveal.

General Capabilities: 

Intercultural understanding

Across the Western Australian Curriculum, students develop intercultural understanding as they learn to value their own cultures, languages and beliefs, and those of others. They come to understand how personal, group and national identities are shaped, and the variable and changing nature of culture. The capability involves students in learning about and engaging with diverse cultures in ways that recognise commonalities and differences, create connections with others and cultivate mutual respect.

Critical and creative thinking
Across the Western Australian Curriculum, students develop capability in critical and creative thinking as they learn to generate and evaluate knowledge, clarify concepts and ideas, seek possibilities, consider alternatives and solve problems. Critical and creative thinking are integral to activities that require students to reflect broadly and deeply using skills, behaviours and dispositions such as reason, logic, resourcefulness, imagination and innovation in all learning areas at school and in their lives beyond school.

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

General themes of History and some Geography. 

Planning your visit

Specific to this program

• This trail is best experienced in small groups, supervised by an accompanying adult. 
• The trail follows an approximate chronology, so ideally should be completed from start to finish. Groups should be staggered to allow for effective small group interaction with gallery displays and prevent crowding. 
• The following supervision ratios are required for all education groups visiting any WA Museum sites:
  • Years K-2, minimum 1 adult to 6 students
  • Years 3-10, minimum 1 adult to 10 students*
  • Years 11-12 minimum 1 supervisor with the group

There is a mandatory minimum of 2 supervisors per education supervisory team.* While the minimum supervisor ratio is 1 adult to 10 students, a ratio of 1 to 6 is preferred for this activity.

• Before arriving at the Museum please have students already organised into small groups each with an adult helper. Older students may work independently within the supervision ratios outlined above. If you do not have enough adult helpers, larger groups will need to be arranged as all groups require supervision in the Museum. 
• Please ensure you Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD), which are all charged and ready for use. You will need a minimum of one BYOD-supported adult supervisor in each student group. 
• Make sure all adult helpers are familiar with the Multicultural Connections digital guide navigation and the layout of the Museum. Adult helpers will need to assist groups by reading the information with/to them and discussing relevant questions. 
• On the day, the trail can be accessed directly from a smartphone or other online device by scanning the QR code provided at the Museum, or by following the link above.  

General to WA Shipwrecks Museum

• On arrival at the Museum, please check in at the Front Desk to confirm your student numbers, booked session times and emergency contact details.
• The Museum is open from 9.30am for access to toilets and storage of bags, etc. 
• If you are running late please contact the WA Shipwrecks Museum front desk on 9431 8469 or the Customer Relations Team on 1300 134 081.
• There is no onsite cafe at the WA Shipwrecks Museum. We recommend students bring a packed lunch. 
• Further information can be found in the WA Shipwrecks Museum Excursion Management Guide 
• Getting to the WA Shipwrecks Museum

Additional Activities 

• Pair your Museum visit with Let's C Freo, a self-guided walking trail through the streets of Fremantle, where you step into the past to explore change, culture, commemoration and celebration. This precinct walking trail is ideal if you are bringing multiple groups on your excursion - while one completes the digital trail inside the Museum, other groups can explore Fremantle:
  • Find out more about Let’s C Freo trail around the WA Shipwrecks Museum and Esplanade precinct.
  • Explore the Let’s C Freo trail around the WA Maritime Museum and Victoria Quay precinct.
• Take a historical journey between the WA Maritime Museum and WA Shipwrecks Museum with A Trek Through Time. This fun walking trail is filled with discovery, while providing historical and geographical knowledge and understanding. Visit landmarks along the way such as Bathers Beach, The Round House, Whalers Tunnel, and the CY O’Connor statue, and imagine what the locations would have been like 200 years ago.
• Visit WA Maritime Museum Self-Guided Excursions and Shipwrecks Self-Guided Excursions for additional downloadable self-guided activities which encourage students to engage with the whole Museum.
• Make it a whole day visiting the WA Maritime Museum and WA Shipwrecks Museum by including a facilitated program:
  • WA Maritime Museum education programs
  • WA Shipwrecks Museum education programs
• Contact the Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Fremantle and find out about their excursion options. It is located next to the Round House.
• Cicerello's, located in Fishing Boat Harbour, offer aquarium tours. They can also provide school lunches and catering for your school group.
• The Roundhouse is located close by and offers a fascinating glimpse into the early settlement history of Fremantle.