Wombat Stew excursion | Early Stage 1 English

Program activities

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

Dingo Bingo bushwalk

Students explore Field of Mars Reserve using adjective cards to guide their observations. They search for plants, animals, habitats and natural materials connected to Wombat Stew while developing vocabulary to describe what they see, hear and touch.

Story enactment and animal homes

Students identify and sequence key events from the beginning, middle and end of Wombat Stew. They work in groups to construct animal homes using loose natural materials, then use props to role-play key scenes and describe what the characters say and do.

Invertebrate hunt

Students carefully search through soil and leaf litter in the invertebrate gardens to find slugs, insects and other small invertebrates. They observe the animals’ features and habitats before meeting an eastern blue-tongued lizard.

Bush kitchen yucky stew

Students use natural materials, water and bush kitchen equipment to create their own imaginative yucky stew. They describe their ingredients, actions and finished creations through open-ended role-play.

Suggested timetable

Time	Classes A, B and C	Classes D, E and F
9.45–10.30	Introduction, Wombat Stew story, recess and toilets	Introduction, Wombat Stew story, recess and toilets
10.30–12.00	Dingo Bingo bushwalk and story enactment	Invertebrate hunt and bush kitchen yucky stew
12.00–12.30	Lunch and toilets	Lunch and toilets
12.30–2.00	Invertebrate hunt and bush kitchen yucky stew	Dingo Bingo bushwalk and story enactment
2.00–2.15	Pack up, toilets and depart	Pack up, toilets and depart

Syllabus outcomes and content

Students will learn to

• connect characters, settings and events in a story with real bushland experiences
• use sensory vocabulary and adjectives to describe animals, plants, habitats and natural materials
• respond to literature through discussion, drama and imaginative play
• sequence and represent events from a familiar narrative

The excursion directly supports the English K–10 Syllabus (2022) through shared literature, vocabulary development, oral responses, dramatic representation and authentic experiences in an Australian bushland setting.

Vocabulary

Outcome

• ENE-VOCAB-01 – understands and effectively uses Tier 1 words and Tier 2 words in familiar contexts

Content addressed

• Recognise and understand taught Tier 1 and Tier 2 words
• Identify, name and describe a range of objects, characters, animals, people and places when given visual and/or auditory prompts
• Use specific word choice to clarify meaning

Understanding and responding to literature

Outcome

• ENE-UARL-01 – understands and responds to literature read to them

Content addressed

• Identify aspects of their own world represented in texts
• Understand that narrative can be real or imagined
• Understand that characters in texts are represented by what they say and do
• Identify and discuss the beginning, middle and end in narratives

English K–10 Syllabus (2022) © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2022

Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary

explore, describe, identify, sequence, role-play, sensory, invertebrate, habitat, scribbly gum, gum nut, blue-tongued lizard, creek, adjective

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 English 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.

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