How do I book and confirm an excursion or incursion?
Check the Booking Calendar for available dates. Complete the booking form at the bottom of the page. Once you submit your booking your booking is confirmed. However the centre will contact you if there are any issues with the date you selected.
Does the Field of Mars EEC provide a risk assessment?
Risk assessments are provided for all sites that we use, excluding school grounds. However schools must complete their own risk assessments using the Field of Mars EEC risk assessment as a guide.
Risk assessments can be accessed on each excursion or incursion page.
What information does the Field of Mars send to the school once an excursion is booked?
You will receive an booking email that includes all the details you submitted. The email will include a link to the program, risk and site information, bus access, syllabus links and resources.
What about buses?
You will have to book your own buses. When booking the charter you will need to refer the bus company to our vehicle access information page and tell them which site you are visiting.
Please note: The Field of Mars reserve site is suitable for rigid buses of all sizes but not bendy buses.
Who can book an excursion with the Field of Mars EEC?
The centre is operated by the NSW Department of Education to support DoE schools. The centre accepts limited number of Non-Government Bookings per term.
How much does it cost for NSW DOE Schools?
Primary excursions - the majority of programs cost $24 per student. Some speciality programs cost more.
Primary incursions - programs start from $12 per student.
Secondary excursions - the majority of programs cost $25 per student. Some speciality programs cost more.
No GST is payable on excursions and an inter school journal will be sent after the program is finished.
Program costs are subject to change without notice.
How much does it cost for Non-Government Schools?
The centre accepts a limited number of bookings by Non Gov Schools.
Primary excursions - most programs cost $34 per student. A minimum charge of $600 applies.
Primary incursions - the majority of programs at schools cost $24 per student. Some speciality programs cost more.
Secondary excursions - most programs cost $35 per student. A minimum charge of $600 applies.
Can parents attend a Field of Mars EEC excursion?
Schools are welcome to invite parents to participate in activities. We recommend a maximum of one parent per class (if required). Activities are not suitable for pre-schoolers.
What should teachers and parents wear?
All adults must wear clothes suitable for bushwalking, including closed shoes. Failure to wear closed shoes will limit adult participation in some activities, particularly bushwalking.
What should the students wear?
We recommend K-6 students wear their sports uniform. Normal school uniforms are not suitable for the bush. Years 7-12 students should wear appropriate clothing for fieldwork, sports uniform is a good option. Hats and closed shoes are essential. Failure to wear closed shoes will limit student participation in some activities, particularly bushwalking.
What should students bring?
Students need to bring their own food, drinks, sunblock, hats and wet weather gear carried in a small backpack or bag. Plastic bags are not suitable. Umbrellas are not suitable. Only essential items should be brought.
Students MUST EAT BREAKFAST on the day of the excursion.
All students need to bring a water bottle. In summer months, students should bring two bottles of water, one of them frozen.
What happens if a student feels sick?
If a student is feeling unwell before the excursion DO NOT BRING THEM.
The bus ride and physical activities like bush walking will not improve the child’s condition and will likely result in their condition deteriorating.
What if the weather is wet on the day of the excursion?
If the weather is poor and their is any threat to student safety the excursion is likely to be postponed. If the weather is intermittent we usually proceed. Please phone or email the centre as early as possible on the day of the excursion to discuss the likelihood of the excursion going ahead. Mobile contact numbers are on the visit plan. If the excursion does go ahead students will need wet weather jackets, umbrellas are not suitable. iPads are unlikely to be used if the weather is wet. While we endeavour to find a suitable replacement date we cannot guarantee a replacement date will be available.
What if extreme temperature, wind or dust predicted on the day of the excursion?
The excursion is likely to be postponed. Please contact the centre as early as possible on the day of the excursion to discuss the likelihood of the excursion going ahead. If the weather poses a risk to students’ safety or the temperature is predicted to be above 35 degrees Celsius then the excursion will be postponed. While we will endeavour to find a suitable replacement date we cannot guarantee a replacement date will be available.
What happens if the weather conditions change during the excursion?
Student safety is paramount. If the temperature rises above 35 degrees activities will be modified to reduce physical exertion. Students will be required to reduce physical play at meal breaks. Alternative indoor activities will be provided in wet or other extreme weather.
What happens if the fire danger rating is predicted to be extreme or catastrophic?
If the fire danger rating is extreme the excursion is likely to be postponed. Catastrophic fire danger will require the excursion to be postponed or cancelled. Centre staff will contact you in the event of extreme or catastrophic fire danger. While we will endeavour to find a suitable replacement date we we cannot guarantee a replacement date will be available.
What happens if I need to cancel?
Cancellations with less than four school weeks notice will incur a $500 administration fee. This does not apply to cancellations due to weather or fire danger.