Special places excursion | Early Stage 1 HSIE Geography

Program activities

Activities may change to suit student needs, timing and weather conditions.

Creek places

Students use their senses to explore the banks of Buffalo Creek and identify natural and human features. They use a pictorial map to plan and follow their route, hear the Dreaming story of Garigan the blue-tongue lizard and create a clay model of Garigan to take back to school.

Forest places

Students visit a she-oak grove and learn why this place is significant to Aboriginal Peoples and others. They build simple shelters using natural materials, then complete a short sensory walk through eucalypt forest using nature spotting, mini magnifiers, listening and a natural-treasure search.

Suggested timetable

Time	Classes A, B, C	Classes D, E, F
9.45–10.30	Introduction, recess and toilets	Introduction, recess and toilets
10.30–12.00	Creek places	Forest places
12.00–12.30	Lunch and toilets	Lunch and toilets
12.30–2.00	Forest places	Creek places
2.00–2.15	Pack up, collect Garigan clay models, toilets and depart	Pack up, collect Garigan clay models, toilets and depart

Syllabus outcomes and content

Students will learn to

• identify natural and human features of places
• use sensory observations and maps to investigate places
• describe how people connect with places
• recognise ways Aboriginal Peoples connect with Country through stories and significant places

The excursion directly supports the Human Society and its Environment K–6 Syllabus (2024) and provides authentic geographical inquiry in a local bushland setting.

Aboriginal Cultures and Histories

Outcome

• HSE-ACH-01 – identifies ways that Aboriginal Peoples connect with Country, Culture and Community

Content addressed

• Engage with Aboriginal stories about land, water and sky Country

Geography

Outcome

• HSE-GEO-01 – identifies and locates places people connect with, using geographical information

Content addressed

• Recognise that familiar places can be represented in different ways
• Identify natural and human features of familiar places
• Participate in multi-sensory observations of familiar places

Human Society and its Environment K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024

Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary

connect, plan, observe, compare, create, explain, Darug, Garigan, pictorial map, boardwalk, creek bank, magnifier, she-oak, eucalypt forest

Cost, class numbers and booking

Cost

DoE school $27 per student – GST free

Non-government school $37 per student – GST free, minimum charge $750 per class

Term 1 non-government weeks 3 to 5 – DoE cost, GST free, minimum charge $750

Classes

Maximum 6 classes, with up to 30 students per class.

Program costs

Program costs may change. If program costs change after you book, you will be charged at the original cost.

Booking policy

Confirm final student numbers and classes 7 working school days before the program.

Book this Early Stage 1 HSIE Geography excursion

Risk assessment and accessibility

Field of Mars Reserve risk assessment – main location

The program includes bushwalking on uneven natural tracks. Some program areas at Field of Mars Reserve may be wheelchair accessible.

Students who are unwell should not attend.

Classroom teachers are expected to attend and actively supervise students throughout the excursion.

Notify Field of Mars EEC before the visit about medical, mobility, sensory, communication or other support needs so reasonable adjustments can be considered.

View location information

What students should bring

School sports uniform, backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunscreen, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes and a reusable name tag.

Bring one tote tray per class to transport clay models back to school.

Weather, cancellations and rescheduling

The program may be modified, postponed or cancelled because of predicted extreme temperatures, bush fire danger, heavy rainfall, high winds or dust storms.

Cancellation or rescheduling with less than 30 school days’ notice before the booking date – $650

Cancellation with less than 14 school days’ notice before the booking date – full program cost

Cancellation due to unsafe weather or fire danger – $0