1878: Henry
Despite one failed invention after another, young Henry knows in his heart that he's a brilliant inventor. Against the advice of his friend Franklin, Henry conducts his biggest experiment ever, but succeeds only in blowing up the local schoolhouse.
The 1870s were a decade of expansion, labour, and tightening colonial control. Australia’s population grew rapidly as pastoral industries expanded, and children were often expected to contribute to family labour from a young age.
• 1872: Victoria introduced free, compulsory, and secular education.
• 1873: The Overland Telegraph Line, a 3,200 km electrical telegraph system connecting Darwin to Adelaide, connected Australia to the world by way of an undersea cable to Java.
• 1876: The first telephone call was made in Australia.
• 1878: Shearers’ strikes and labour disputes began to shape early union movements.
First Nations Focus: Students can explore how pastoral expansion disrupted Country, kinship systems, and cultural practices. This decade also saw increased policing of Aboriginal people and the early formation of Protection Boards, which restricted movement, labour, and autonomy.
Provocation Question
What does it mean to take responsibility, and who decides what is fair?
Clip 1: Henry's Life
Henry and his friend Franklin experiment with a hot air balloon. After blowing up his schoolhouse with an experimental self-lighting candle, Henry is expelled from school. He goes to work in his uncle's saddlery.
Tuning In
Henry desperately wants to be seen as responsible; his days are full of chores and responsibilities. As you watch, notice how he talks about work, family expectations, and what it means to “pull your weight.”
As a class, discuss:
- What responsibilities do children have today compared to Henry’s time?
- Why might Henry feel pressure to prove himself?
- How age and power shape who gets listened to
Finding Out & Sorting Out
Work together to explore ideas about responsibility, fairness, and childhood in the 1870s.
In small groups, brainstorm:
- What does responsibility look like in your life?
- How do families decide who does what?
- What makes something feel “fair” or “unfair”?
Create a Responsibility Map using images, words, and symbols to show:
- Henry’s responsibilities
- Your own responsibilities
- What these reveal about childhood then and now
Share your map with the class and explain your choices.
Making Connections
Henry wants to be trusted and taken seriously. Think about a time when you wanted to prove yourself.
Write a short journal entry responding to:
- What does it mean to be responsible?
- How do you show others they can trust you?
- What would you say to Henry if you could give him advice?
Clip 2: The Dough Machine
Franklin and Henry invent 'the spoon cranking dough churner', which explodes when they fail to take into account the fact that dough expands when heated. Their invention causes a mess, but it also shows their creativity and determination.
Tuning In
Henry and Franklin are full of ideas and curiosity. As you watch, pay attention to:
- What they’re trying to achieve
- How they react when things go wrong
- What this tells us about creativity and problem‑solving
Finding Out & Sorting Out
Explore inventions and creativity in the 1870s.
In small groups:
- List inventions from the 1800s
- Sort them into categories (transport, communication, home life, farming)
- Discuss how each invention changed people’s lives
Create a Colonial Invention Poster showing:
- An invention from the 1870s
- What problem it solved
- Who used it
- How it compares to a modern version
Making Connections
Everyone has moments when things don’t go to plan. Write a short story or comic strip titled:
“The time I tried something new…”
Show how you felt, what you learned, and how you kept going.
Clip 3: Penny-Farthing
Henry and his uncle make a sprung leather saddle for a penny-farthing. When Henry brings news of his success to Franklin, he is shocked to discover that his friend is still angry for the trouble he has landed them both in. The scene highlights his adventurous spirit and the challenges of mastering new technology.
Tuning In
Henry is determined to master the penny‑farthing, even though it’s tricky and a bit dangerous.
As a class, discuss:
- Why people take risks
- What helps someone keep trying
- How new technology can feel exciting and scary at the same time
Finding Out & Sorting Out
Investigate transport in the 1870s.
In groups, compare:
- Penny‑farthings
- Horses
- Carriages
- Early bicycles
Sort them by:
- Speed
- Safety
- Who could afford them
- What they were used for
Create a Then & Now Transport Venn Diagram comparing Henry’s world with today.
Making Connections
Think about a time you tried something difficult.
Create a four‑panel comic showing:
1. The challenge
2. Your first attempt
3. What you learned
4. How you kept going
Clip 4: The Chinese Dragon
The local population brings in the Chinese New Year with traditional celebrations. Henry and Franklin contribute to the proceedings by launching their lanterns.
Tuning In
This clip shows a vibrant community celebration. As you watch, notice:
- The colours, sounds, and symbols
- How people come together
- What Henry and Franklin contribute
Think-Pair-Share, firstly with a partner, then with the class.
- What makes a celebration feel welcoming
- Why cultural celebrations matter
- How communities show respect for different traditions
Finding Out & Sorting Out
Explore Chinese New Year traditions.
In small groups:
- Research symbols of luck (lanterns, dragons, red envelopes)
- Sort them into categories (good fortune, protection, happiness)
- Compare these traditions with celebrations in your own family or culture
Create a Lantern of Hopes:
- Write or draw a wish for the year ahead
- Add symbols that represent luck or positivity
Making Connections
Celebrations help people feel connected and included. Write a short reflection:
“A celebration that makes me feel like I belong…”
Explain what it is, who you share it with, and why it matters to you.
Australian Curriculum Links
|
Year Level |
Content Description |
Inquiry Sprint + Clip link |
CCP Integration |
|
Year 3 |
Causes, effects and contributions of people to change; significance of events and symbols; similarities/differences in community life |
Clip 1 – Henry’s Life • Tuning In: Childhood responsibilities • Finding Out: Responsibility Map • Making Connections: Journal on trust and fairness Clip 4 – Chinese Dragon • Tuning In: Community celebrations • Finding Out: Symbols of luck • Making Connections: Reflection on belonging |
First Nations Peoples’ deep connections to Country/Place; diversity of cultures; continuity of cultural practices. Asia: Chinese New Year traditions and cultural diversity. |
|
Year 4 |
Diversity of experiences before/after 1788; effects of colonisation; cultural and social identity |
Clip 1 – Henry’s Life • Tuning In: Colonial childhood vs today • Finding Out: Comparing responsibilities • Making Connections: Fairness and voice Clip 3 – Penny‑Farthing • Tuning In: New technology • Finding Out: Transport comparison • Making Connections: Perseverance comic Clip 4 – Chinese Dragon • Tuning In: Cultural diversity • Finding Out: Chinese New Year traditions • Making Connections: Belonging |
Effects of colonisation on First Nations Peoples; resilience and continuity of cultures; shared histories. Asia: Chinese migration and cultural contributions. |
|
Year 5 |
Causes of colonial expansion; roles of significant individuals; influence of people on places |
Clip 2 – Dough Machine • Tuning In: Creativity and invention • Finding Out: Invention poster • Making Connections: Story of trying something new Clip 3 – Penny‑Farthing • Tuning In: Technology and change • Finding Out: Transport analysis • Making Connections: Growth through challenge Clip 4 – Chinese Dragon • Tuning In: Cultural contributions • Finding Out: Symbol research • Making Connections: Community identity |
First Nations Peoples’ knowledge systems, innovation and sustainable practices; contributions to Australian society. Asia: Chinese labour, trade and community presence. |
|
Year 6 |
Significant people/events leading to democracy, migration, and interconnections with other countries |
Clip 4 – Chinese Dragon • Tuning In: Migration and cultural exchange • Finding Out: Historical migration patterns • Making Connections: Multicultural identity Clip 1 – Henry’s Life • Tuning In: Power and authority • Finding Out: Rights and responsibilities • Making Connections: Children’s rights reflection |
First Nations Peoples’ ongoing contributions to contemporary Australia; recognition of shared futures. Asia: Migration stories and cultural exchange. |
|
Year Level |
Strand |
Content Description |
Inquiry Sprint + Clip link |
CCP Integration |
|
Years 3–4 |
Literature |
Describe how characters, settings and events develop; how texts reflect contexts |
Clip 1 – Henry’s Life • Tuning In: Character identity • Finding Out: Comparing childhoods • Making Connections: Journal on fairness Clip 3 – Penny‑Farthing • Tuning In: Motivation and risk • Finding Out: Transport comparison • Making Connections: Perseverance comic |
Understanding diverse cultural identities; recognising First Nations stories as part of Australia’s narrative. Asia: Symbolism in Chinese New Year stories. |
|
Years 3–4 |
Literacy |
Interact, discuss and present ideas; interpret multimodal texts |
Clip 2 – Dough Machine • Tuning In: Purpose of inventions • Finding Out: Invention poster • Making Connections: Personal narrative Clip 4 – Chinese Dragon • Tuning In: Interpreting cultural symbols • Finding Out: Sorting symbols of luck • Making Connections: Reflection on belonging |
Recognising diverse ways of communicating and sharing knowledge. Asia: Visual and symbolic literacy in Chinese celebrations. |
|
Years 5–6 |
Literature |
Explain how ideas are developed through characters, settings and events; how texts reflect context |
Clip 1 – Henry’s Life • Tuning In: Power and responsibility • Finding Out: Analysing family roles • Making Connections: Children’s rights reflection Clip 3 – Penny‑Farthing • Tuning In: Technology and social change • Finding Out: Comparing risks • Making Connections: Extended response |
Exploring First Nations perspectives alongside colonial narratives. Asia: Representation of Chinese communities in historical texts. |
|
Years 5–6 |
Literacy / Language |
Use vocabulary, sentence structures and multimodal features to create and interpret texts |
Clip 2 – Dough Machine • Tuning In: Technical vocabulary • Finding Out: Designing an invention • Making Connections: Written explanation Clip 4 – Chinese Dragon • Tuning In: Cultural vocabulary • Finding Out: Exploring symbolism • Making Connections: Lantern of Hopes |
Using respectful language when referring to First Nations cultures and histories. Asia: Building vocabulary related to Chinese culture and migration. |
|
Organising Idea |
Curriculum Link |
Episode 14 Connection |
|
Country/Place |
First Nations Peoples have deep spiritual, cultural, social and economic connections to Country/Place |
Compare Henry’s relationship to land with First Nations perspectives on connection, belonging and responsibility. |
|
Culture |
First Nations cultures are diverse, dynamic and continuous |
Explore the diversity of cultural practices in Australia in the 1870s, including First Nations and Chinese communities. |
|
People |
First Nations identities are shaped by Country/Place, culture and community |
Discuss how identity is shaped differently for First Nations children and colonial children like Henry. |
|
Shared Histories |
Colonisation has had significant effects on First Nations Peoples; resilience and continuity |
Situate Henry’s story within broader colonial contexts and acknowledge the parallel experiences of First Nations communities. |
|
Knowledge Systems |
First Nations Peoples’ knowledge systems continue to influence Australian society |
Connect Henry’s era to First Nations innovation, sustainable practices and knowledge of place. |
|
Shared Futures |
Australia has shared histories and shared futures |
Reflect on how multicultural celebrations (e.g., Chinese New Year) and First Nations histories contribute to contemporary Australian identity. |
|
Organising Idea |
Curriculum Link |
Episode 14 Connection |
|
Asia’s diversity |
Students explore the diversity of Asian cultures |
Chinese New Year traditions in Clip 4; symbolism of lanterns, dragons, colour. |
|
Asia–Australia connections |
Historical and contemporary connections between Asia and Australia |
Chinese migration to WA in the 19th century; contributions to local communities. |
|
Asia’s contributions |
Asian peoples’ contributions to Australian society |
Cultural celebrations, trade, labour, and community presence in colonial Albany. |
Additional Resources
Franklin And Henry With Their Clothes Scrubbing Machine
Franklin And Henry
Henry In The Workshop
Stanley The Baker's Son
The Chinese Dragon
The Wongs Prepare For The Celebrations
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