Podcast
Hey History!
Hosted by UTS Impact Studios · EN
For kids age 8-12, a series on Australian history with stories and music. For teachers, a professional learning series called Hey History Teacher!
Season 1 follows Stage 2 and 3 of the Australian curriculum, and of NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland. Students can listen in class and use our Learning Materials designed and road-tested by a primary school educator.
Go back in time to the Gold Rush. What happened at the meetings between Captain Cook and First Nations people at Kamay Botany Bay? Experience life as a convict kid, and hear how First Nations people learn on Country.
Season 2 is for teachers, teacher-educators and pre-service teachers. hear conversations and advice about over 8 episodes, including teaching difficult histories, creative history teaching, approaching First Nations histories with care and confidence, complexity in history teaching, advice for new history teachers, great history teaching, and teaching the Australian Wars.
These eight PD episodes are grounded in current research and features fifteen classroom educators and academics from around Australia.
Hey History! is made by history professors, so you'll hear from Australia's top historians and experts. It's produced by The Australian Centre for Public History and Impact Studios at the University of Technology Sydney, in partnership with La Trobe University.
Hey History Teacher! series is made with the support of the History Teachers Association of New South Wales.
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Teaching The Australian Wars
Apr 2901:13:30Tap to summarizeHow do we teach the Frontier Wars with honesty, care, and confidence?You'll hear from filmmaker Rachel Perkins, leading academic and advocate Professor Marcia Langton, Culture is Life CEO Belinda Duarte, senior secondary history teacher Bill Lewis, and Professor Melitta Hogarth of Ngarrngga at Melbourne University.Together they dig into the questions many teachers are sitting with:What does truth-telling actually look like in practice?How do we teach histories of colonial violence with care?How can non-Indigenous teachers approach this work without fear of getting it wrong?We're sharing a recording generously provided by Culture is Life and Ngarrngga, two organisations working at the intersection of First Nations knowledge, education, and advocacy.Culture is Life is an Aboriginal-led not-for-profit amplifying the voices of First Nations young people and championing education as a pathway to justice and truth-telling.Ngarrngga is committed to ensuring all educators have access to Indigenous knowledge systems and the tools to embed them meaningfully in their teaching. Both organisations produce practical, curriculum-aligned resources to support teachers in this work.ResourcesThe Australian Wars websiteWatch The Australian Wars on SBS on DemandSBS Learn Understanding the Frontier Wars: clips with discussion questions and other classroom resourcesThe Australian Wars book by Rachel Perkins, Stephen Gapps, Mina Murray and Henry ReynoldsNgarrngga: free, high-quality curriculum resources and professional development modules, spanning all subject areas from Foundation to 10. A collaboration between the Faculty of Education, Indigenous Studies Unit and Indigenous Knowledge Institute at the University of MelbourneCulture is Life: Free resources including The Australian Wars, Welcome to Country, First weapons, Stolen Generations, and The Australian Dream with Adam Goodes.Watch a video of the original panel https://www.ngarrngga.org/stories-news/teaching-the-australian-wars-panelVoicesPanellists: Rachel Perkins, Arrernte/Kalkadoon (The Australian Wars filmmaker); Marcia Langton, Yiman/Bidjara (academic and cultural leader); Belinda Duarte, Wotjobaluk/Dja Dja Wurrung (CEO, Culture is Life); Bill Lewis (History Teacher, Haileybury College); and Professor Melitta Hogarth, Kamilaroi (Director, Ngarrngga, The University of Melbourne).Episode host: Professor Anna ClarkCreditsHey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW.Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark.Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios.Sound engineering by John Jacobs.Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.
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Teaching First Nations history
Apr 2200:31:59Tap to summarizeNearly half of Australian teachers say they don't feel confident to teach First Nations history, according to research.Historian and educator Associate Professor Al Fricker explains why so many teachers feel underprepared — and why it's not a personal failing. He offers some straightforward first steps, including where to find good resources and how to start building real connections with your local First Nations community.How can you embed First Nations perspectives and knowledge in your curriculum?And what are some ways to embed them across your whole school?You'll also hear from teachers around Australia sharing what’s worked in their classrooms and schools: using the AIATSIS languages map, teaching the Frontier Wars through local history, trying the Eight Ways Pedagogy, and building a curriculum map so Aboriginal perspectives aren't left to chance.Resources and tipsheetAssociate Professor Al Fricker’s recommended resources made by or with First Nations peopleNgarrngga: free, high-quality curriculum resources and professional development modules, spanning all subject areas from Foundation to 10. A collaboration between the Faculty of Education, Indigenous Studies Unit and Indigenous Knowledge Institute at the University of Melbourne.Australians Together: free curriculum resources, covering key learning areas from Foundation to Year 10. A non-profit organisation developing resources with First Nations Educators.Matilda Education: progressive, research-based, differentiated print and digital content for your classroom - content that matches the latest Australian curricula.Indigenous Education in Australia Learning and Teaching for Deadly Futures: an essential, practical resource for pre- and in-service educators on creating contexts for success for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Based on the latest research and practice, this book provides an in-depth understanding of the colonised context within which education in Australia is located, with an emphasis on effective strategies for the classroom.Other resources and linksAIATIS Map of Indigenous AustraliaAIATIS free teaching resources and learning sequences including First FightersAIATSIS Guide to evaluating and selecting education resourcesYabun Survival Day SydneyColonial Frontier Massacre Map: Colonial Frontier Massacres, Australia, 1788 to 1930 and Introduction to the map by the University of Newcastle, AustraliaYeddonba Aboriginal Cultural Site: features an Aboriginal red-ochre painting, which is believed to be of a Tasmanian tiger (thylacine), supporting the belief that the animal once inhabited the mainland. The site is 20 minutes from Beechworth, NSW.8 Ways framework: a NSW Department of Education initiativeTipsheetFree professional development tipsheet for this episode (in Teacher Downloads)ResearchThe Monash Australian Teachers Survey 2023 reported teachers’ views of how well their Initial Teacher Education program prepared them to teach the Australian Curriculum’s priority areas (referring to Student Diversity, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Culture) were relatively divided, with 54% feeling prepared, and 45% saying they are unprepared.Burns, E.C., Plummer, L., Vass, G. et al. Which resources support teachers to embed Indigenous perspectives? A convergent mixed methods analysis. Aust. Educ. Res.53, 26 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-025-00944-zRoyal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody 1991: National Report Volume 5, Recommendations for Educating the FutureVoicesEducators: Associate Professor Al Fricker (Victoria), and from New South Wales: Sarah Kearney, Martin Douglas, Jade Carr, Nik Armstrong, Uncle Terry Lennis and Ruth Bradfield-Ling.Host: Professor Anna ClarkCreditsHey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW.Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark.Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios.Sound engineering by John Jacobs.Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.
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More than facts: teaching complexity in history
Apr 1600:29:39Tap to summarizeYou know history is complex. How do you teach that in the classroom?We unpack what 'complexity' in history means and how to bring it to life for your students.As history educator Jonathon Dallimore puts it, “Factual information… is not sufficient. Information doesn’t guarantee that you actually have insight."Because there’s the past (everything that’s happened) and then there’s history: the way we interpret, debate and make meaning of the past.You’ll hear from experienced teachers and history educator Jonathon Dallimore, on why history is complex, with examples, and how to teach contestability and historical thinking skills to junior and secondary students.Students are already debating the world around them. This is about helping them bring those skills into history.Resources and tipsheetA Practical Guide for Secondary School Teachers. By Jonathon DallimoreTeaching history, teaching complexity: Agora, Vol. 53, No. 3, Dec 2018, 36-39 (free download for members of the History Teachers Association of Victoria)‘Historical time’ helps students truly understand the complexity of the past – and how they fit into it: The Conversation https://doi.org/10.64628/AAO.nfmakjwreFree professional development tipsheet for this episode (in Teacher Downloads)VoicesEducators: Natalie Abadier (New South Wales), Sarah Coleman (Queensland) and Jonathon Dallimore, History Teachers Association of New South Wales.Host: Professor Anna ClarkCreditsHey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW.Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark.Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios.Sound engineering by John Jacobs.Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.
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Teaching difficult histories
Apr 900:31:40Tap to summarizePractical strategies to help you confidently teach history involving trauma and conflict.You’ll learn how to:build trustuse different techniques so everyone can ask a questionrespond to challenging or confronting student questionssupport students with personal connections to the contentuse frameworks like Safely In, Safely Out to manage sensitive material, andhow to look after yourself as a teacher when the content feels heavy.Resources and tipsheetSafely In Safely Out resources: Yada Vashem pedagogical principles and Safely In Safely Out preparing Holocaust lessons Teaching Difficult History: A guide for Grade Seven to Twelve Teachers Novia Scotia, CanadaFree professional development tipsheet for this episode (in Teacher Downloads)VoicesEducators: Ben Lawless (Victoria), Natalie Abadier (New South Wales), Louise Secker (Western Australia), Paul Foley (South Australia), Natalie Fong (Queensland), and Sarah Coleman (Queensland).Host: Professor Anna ClarkCreditsHey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW.Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark.Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios.Sound engineering by John Jacobs.Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.
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*Really* creative history teaching
Apr 100:22:12Tap to summarizeWant to try creative history lessons that students won’t forget?Hear expert teachers bring history alive in the classroom.From 'Top Secret' source investigations and historical group chats, to escape rooms, courtroom trials, video games, and history festivals.Ideas that spark curiosity, deepen thinking, and get students genuinely engaged.If you haven’t listened to Creative History Teaching, start there first. Then dive into this episode for more ambitious, high-impact ideas you can adapt for your own classroom.Resources and tipsheetFirst Fleet Database: University of WollongongConvicts research guide National Library of AustraliaEpic Escape Rooms ebook by Chad CaryChad Cary’s Instagram: Innovative and Engaging Teaching StrategiesChad Cary’s Facebook group: Innovative and Engaging Teaching StrategiesTeaching the World Peace Game by John Hunter: TED TalkBen Lawless’ board game for grade 6+ EarthcraftFree professional development tipsheet for this episode (in Teacher Downloads)VoicesEducators: Ben Lawless (Victoria), Chad Cary (New South Wales), David Boon (Tasmania), Paul Foley (South Australia), Natalie Fong (Queensland), and Sarah Coleman (Queensland).Host: Professor Anna ClarkCreditsHey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW.Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark.Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios.Sound engineering by John Jacobs.Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.
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Creative history teaching
Mar 2500:29:23Tap to summarizeWhat actually works when it comes to creative history teaching?In this episode of Hey History Teacher, we go inside real classrooms to find out - from songs and dress-ups to protest reenactments, and even stomping on a cardboard box.You’ll hear from experienced primary and secondary school teachers across Australia sharing practical, classroom-tested ideas that bring history to life, like:using songs to help students remember complex contentsharing a colour-coded Scope and Sequence so students can see what’s coming and stay motivated, andsimple, low-prep activities.We ask:What does the research say about creativity and learning?How do you balance creativity with curriculum demands?And where do you start if you’re short on time?You’ll hear how creativity helps students:remember complex contentengage more deeply with difficult historiesand connect emotionally with the pastIf you’ve ever wondered whether creative teaching is “worth it”, or how to be more creative in class, this episode is for you.Resources, Scope and Sequence, and tipsheetTeach like a pirate by Dave BurgessTom Appleby, Convict Boy by Jackie FrenchNanberry: Black Brother White by Jackie FrenchChad Cary’s colour-coded Scope and Sequence Word doc (in Teacher Downloads)Free professional development tipsheet for this episode (in Teacher Downloads)Lyrics of Chad Cary’s Ancient Rome song to the Brady Bunch theme songIt's the story of a man named Cato who was being such a big pain in the butts.He was blocking legislation, with the Optimates, which made the Triumviirs sad.It's the story of a man named Caesar who was rising up through the political ranks.He wanted a triumph and to run for Consul. But he could not do both.Until one day when Caesar called Pompey and Crassus.And said, "Hey boys, we should all team up!If we decide to pool our resources together."That's the way that they became the First Triumvirate.First Tri um vir ate.......... Tri um vir ate.....That's the way that they became the first Triumvirate!Research mentioned in this episodeCole, B., Mooney, M., & Power, A. (2013). Imagination, creativity and intellectual quality. In G. Munns, W. Sawyer, & B. Cole (Eds.), Exemplary teachers of students in poverty (pp. 123-135). Routledge. In Golledge,C . (2026) Inside the History Classroom: Portraits of Exemplary Teaching Practice Routledge.Manaf, Abdul & Dewanti, Sintha & Mam, Socheath & Susetyawati, Endang & Ernawati, Ika. (2022). Is there a correlation between creativity and learning achievement? A meta-analysis study. REID (Research and Evaluation in Education). 8. 78-89. 10.21831/reid.v8i1.51493.Baartman LKJ and Prins FJ (2018) Transparency or Stimulating Meaningfulness and Self-Regulation? A Case Study About a Programmatic Approach to Transparency of Assessment Criteria. Front. Educ. 3:104. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2018.00104VoicesEducators: Chad Cary (New South Wales), Catherine Baron (Western Australia), David Boon (Tasmania), Christine Abadier (New South Wales), Paul Foley (South Australia), Natalie Fong (Queensland), and Megan Tucker (South Australia).Host: Professor Anna ClarkCreditsHey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW.Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark.Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios.Sound engineering by John Jacobs.Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.
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Advice for new history teachers
Mar 1800:24:56Tap to summarizeStarting out as a history teacher can feel overwhelming.How do you manage a classroom, cover the syllabus, and help students make sense of the past - all at the same time?Experienced history educators from across Australia share practical advice for teachers who are new to the subject.From building relationships with students and learning from colleagues, to teaching historical inquiry and source analysis, this episode offers 10 practical tips to help you feel more confident in the history classroom.Facebook groups for history teachersHistory Teachers Resources AustraliaPrimary History Teachers AustraliaHistory Teachers AustraliaAustralian 5/6 TeachersModern History Teachers NSWHSIE Teachers of NSWNorth West NSW History & HSIE TeachersNSW Ancient History Teachers CommunityDid we miss one? Please let us knowState history teachers associationsHistory Teachers' Association of AustraliaHistory Teachers' Association of Western AustraliaHistory Teachers' Association of South AustraliaGeography and History Teachers Association NTTasmanian History Teachers AssociationACT History Teachers AssociationQueensland History Teachers AssociationHistory Teachers' Association of NSWHistory Teachers' Association of VictoriaResources and tipsheetTeaching History: A Practical Guide for Secondary School Teachers by Jonathon DallimoreAgora: a quarterly professional journal for history teachers published by the History Teachers' Association of Victoria (HTAV)Starter packs for history teachers by the HTAVTipsheet for this episodeVoicesEducators: Sarah Coleman (Queensland), Catherine Baron (Western Australia), David Boon (Tasmania), Paul Foley (South Australia), Christine Abadier (New South Wales), and Megan Tucker (South Australia).Host: Professor Anna Clark, University of Technology SydneyAbout Hey History Teacher!Hear practical ideas, fresh inspiration and thoughtful conversation about how history is taught in primary and secondary school classrooms in Australia.Hey History Teacher! is for teachers, teacher-educators and pre-service teachers.You’ll hear conversations and advice about over 8 episodes, including:teaching difficult historiescreative history teachingapproaching First Nations histories with care and confidencecomplexity in history teachinghow early-career teachers can find their their feet in the history classroomgreat history teaching, andteaching the Australian Wars.It's grounded in current research and features fifteen classroom educators and academics from around Australia.Each episode comes with a free downloadable Tip Sheet to support your teaching practice.CreditsHey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW.Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark.Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios.Sound engineering by John Jacobs.Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.
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What is great history teaching?
Mar 1100:27:46Tap to summarizeWhat does great history teaching look like?Is it passion for the past? Creativity in the classroom? The courage to follow students’ questions - even when it means throwing out the lesson plan?Historian Anna Clark speaks with experienced teachers and university educators from across Australia about what great history teaching really looks like in the primary and secondary school classroom.From building strong relationships with students, to self-regulation, and being able to say, "I need more information and I'll get back to you."And, the key skills history teachers pass on to students - like asking and answering good questions, researching ethically, thinking routines for source analysis, and communicating historical arguments.Resources and tipsheetProject Zero by Harvard Graduate School of EducationSee, Think, Wonder thinking routineTipsheet for this episodeResearch mentioned in this episodeZuleica Ruiz-Alfonso, Jaime León, The role of passion in education: A systematic review, Educational Research Review, Volume 19, 2016, Pages 173-188, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2016.09.001. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1747938X16300343VoicesEducators: Claire Colledge, Sarah Coleman, Ben Lawless, Chad Cary, Natalie Fong, David Boon and Catherine Baron.Host: Professor Anna ClarkAbout Hey History Teacher!Hear practical ideas, fresh inspiration and thoughtful conversation about how history is taught in primary and secondary school classrooms in Australia.Hey History Teacher! is for teachers, teacher-educators and pre-service teachers.You’ll hear conversations and advice about over 8 episodes, including:teaching difficult historiescreative history teachingapproaching First Nations histories with care and confidencecomplexity in history teachinghow early-career teachers can find their their feet in the history classroomgreat history teaching, andteaching the Australian Wars.It's grounded in current research and features fifteen classroom educators and academics from around Australia.Each episode comes with a free downloadable Tip Sheet to support your teaching practice.CreditsHey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW.Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark.Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios.Sound engineering by John Jacobs.Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.
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Introducing... Hey History Teacher!
Mar 400:02:23Tap to summarizeWhat does great history teaching look like in practice?How do teachers handle the challenges with teaching history today?Hear practical ideas, fresh inspiration and thoughtful conversation about how history is taught in primary and secondary school classrooms in Australia.Hey History Teacher! is for teachers, teacher-educators and pre-service teachers.You’ll hear conversations and advice about over 8 episodes, including:teaching difficult historiescreative history teachingapproaching First Nations histories with care and confidencecomplexity in history teachinghow early-career teachers can find their their feet in the history classroomgreat history teaching, andteaching the Australian Wars.It's grounded in current research and features fifteen classroom educators and academics from around Australia.Each episode comes with a free downloadable Tip Sheet to support your teaching practice.CreditsHey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW.Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark.Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios.Sound engineering by John Jacobs.Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.
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7. Walk for truth-telling
Jun 1400:30:23Tap to summarizeHave you ever told the truth but it felt like no one listened? This episode is all about truth-telling.Hey History! follows Travis Lovett, a proud Gunditjmara/Kerrupmara man and Commissioner at the Yoorrook Justice Commission, on a 400km 'Walk for Truth' across Victoria.Who is Travis Lovett, and why is he going on a really, really long walk?What is the Yoorrook Justice Commission?What is 'truth-telling', and how can it happen with history?Host Axel Clark and students from St Patrick’s Primary School join Travis on his Walk for Truth through Port Fairy.Hear:Why telling the truth is important—at school, at home, and in Australian history.That 'history' isn’t fixed — it changes when new voices and stories are heard.What is a 'commission'?What difference does it make when we tell the truth about history?How the Yoorrook Justice Commission has gathered stories and evidence over 4 years.VoicesTravis Lovett, Yoorrook Justice Commissioner 2021-2025Olga Lyons, Principal, St Patrick's Primary School, Port Fairy VictoriaDr Matthew Keynes, Research Fellow, Faculty of Education, University of MelbourneAunty Nellie Flagg's testimony to the Yoorrook Justice Commission (excerpt)Uncle Henry Atkinson's story shared with the Yoorrook Justice CommissionYear Three and Four students of St Patrick's Primary School, Port Fairy VictoriaRosa Ellen (voice actor for news report)CreditsHosted by Axel Clark. Made on Gadigal and Gunditjmara Country by Jane Curtis.Executive producers are Clare Wright and Anna Clark. Production assistance from Alexandra Morris.Thanks to all the students whose voices you hear in this episode and their schools and teachers: St Patrick's Primary School, Princes Street Primary school, Marrickville West Primary School, La Perouse Primary School, and Yirrkala Bilingual School. Hey History! is produced by the Australian Centre for Public History at UTS and UTS Impact Studios.Impact Studios' executive producer is Sarah Gilbert. Thank youThis episode was made possible by Dusseldorp Forum, a family foundation committed to a just and equitable Australia, one that is caring, ethical and honours our First Peoples.Special thanks to Principal Olga Lyons and St Patrick's Primary School Port Fairy, Rosa Ellen, Rachel Fyfe and the Yoorrook team.
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