Year 11 History Trip to Quarantine Island

Last Friday, on the 14th of March, the Year 11 History class took a field trip to Quarantine Island / Kamau Taurua. We were accompanied by Mr. Campbell and Mrs. de Vos, who planned the trip. The excursion included a ferry ride to and from the island. Upon arrival, we met John, the caretaker, who is the only person living on Quarantine Island. We then explored various landmarks, including the Chapel, the Married Quarters Building, and the island’s edge. At each location, we completed activities in our booklets, competing for prizes—which made things very competitive! After stopping for lunch and playing some frisbee games, we visited the cemetery, where 72 people who died in quarantine are buried. Most of these graves are unmarked, a stark reminder of the isolation and loss experienced by those confined to the island. We then made our way to the ‘Shot at Dawn’ memorial, where we observed two minutes of silence. Throughout the trip, we examined primary and secondary sources, learning about ships that were quarantined on the island and the different historical roles the island has played. A particularly interesting case was that of the troopship Willochra, which was quarantined there. The day was both educational and enjoyable!

A huge thank you to Mrs. de Vos for organising the trip, Mrs. Thompson and Ms. Cross for providing transport, and of course, Mr. Campbell for his amazing singing and excellent taste in music!

(Bethany Jackson-Sem and Laura Tagg)