Aboriginal connections to Country | Stage 1 | HSIE History and Geography excursion | Field of Mars EEC
Program overview
Aboriginal connections to Country is a Stage 1 HSIE History and Geography excursion where students deepen understanding of Aboriginal culture, connections and responsibilities to Country through a guided bushwalk and storytelling. Students identify natural features of Country, explore how Country provides resources (such as food, tools and medicines), and participate in hands-on learning experiences including sand stories, a sensory-guided bush resource walk, a nature orchestra and memory games, finishing with reflective discussion and a nature-based artwork.
Learning intention
- We are learning to identify the features of Country.
- We are learning to describe the relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and Country.
Activities
Welcome to Country and Dreaming story
Students begin with an Acknowledgement of Country and learn about the Wallumedegal Peoples of the Darug Nation. A shared Dreaming story introduces key ideas of Country, respectful listening and ongoing connections to Place.
Bush resources walk
On a bushwalk, students use their senses to identify significant natural features and local plant resources. Students explore how Aboriginal Peoples sustainably use plants for everyday needs such as food, tools and medicine and caring for skin.
Sand stories
Students interpret story elements and animal tracks using symbols in sand, then create their own simple sand story. This activity supports students to communicate observations about Country, animals and important places.
Waterways investigation and nature orchestra
At a water environment, students identify natural features and discuss how waterways change over time. Students participate in a nature-based memory game and create a frog orchestra using natural materials to mimic local frog calls.
Boomerangs and rhythms
Students learn how Aboriginal Peoples use boomerangs as tools and how rhythm supports songs and dances. Students practise a call-and-response rhythm game that builds listening skills, coordination and teamwork.
Animal relay and habitat building
Students explore local animals and their habitat needs, linking these to totemic relationships and caring for living things. Working in teams, students match food and habitat resources to an animal and build a small habitat model to demonstrate how places support life.
Yarning circle and ephemeral artwork
Students collaborate to create a temporary artwork using loose natural materials found on the ground. The day concludes with a yarning circle where students recount what they learned about connecting to and caring for Country.
Location options
Buffalo Creek Reserve
Main location – including risk assessment and risk management advice, bus map and track overview.
Field of Mars Reserve
Alternative location – including risk assessment and risk management advice, bus map and track overview.
Blackman Park
Alternative location – including risk assessment and risk management advice, bus map and track overview.
Essential information
Cost and details
Cost 2026 |
DoE $27 per student – GST free Non-gov $37 per student – GST free, min charge $750 per class Term 1 – Non-gov weeks 3 to 6 cost = DoE cost – GST free, min charge $750 |
Classes |
Maximum 6 classes at Buffalo Creek Reserve. More than 6 classes will run across two sites – Buffalo Creek Reserve and Field of Mars Reserve. Please contact us. |
Bring |
Sports uniform, backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, reusable name tag. |
View |
Preparing for your excursion |
Welfare |
Rugged bushwalking, limited wheelchair accessibility. May not suit recently unwell participants. For medical or special needs notify staff prior to program. |
Extreme or wet weather |
Program may be modified, postponed or cancelled due to predicted extreme temperatures, bush fire danger, heavy rainfall, high winds or dust storms. |
Booking policy |
Confirm student numbers and classes 7 days in advance. |
Cancellation fee |
Less than 30 working school days – $600 Less than 7 working school days notice – full cost Weather or fire danger cancellation – $0 |
Suggested timetable
Time |
Activities |
| 9.45 - 10.15 | Introduction, toilets and recess |
| 10.15 - 12.00 | Bushwalk and activities |
| 12.00 - 12.30 | Lunch and toilets |
| 12.30 - 2.00 | Bushwalk and activities |
| 2.00 - 2.15 | Pack up, toilets and depart |
Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary
Syllabus outcomes and content
Human Society and its Environment K-6 Syllabus (2024)
Outcomes
- Describes interactions between Aboriginal Peoples and Country HS1-ACH-01
- Describes ways people connect to and care for places, water environments and each other, using geographical information HS1-GEO-01
- Describes the ancient past and changes in communication over time, using stories, images, objects and sites as evidence HS1-HIS-01
Geography content
Aboriginal Peoples have a responsibility to Country
- Identify how Aboriginal Country is represented in a range of contexts
- Describe ways in which Aboriginal Peoples use Knowledge of land, water and sky Country in everyday life
- Recognise Aboriginal Peoples’ responsibility to Country can incorporate physical, spiritual and Cultural connections
History content
Aboriginal Peoples have rich and diverse Cultures and Histories
- Locate and discuss objects and sites that evidence Aboriginal Peoples as the oldest living continuous Cultures in the world
- Identify and describe significant Aboriginal sites across NSW and relate them to Dreaming Stories
Text link
This excursion supports the study of the text Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy and Lisa Kennedy. Walker Books (2016).
Other syllabus links
Learning experiences will also support but not explicitly teach the following outcome:
English K-10 Syllabus (2022)
Vocabulary
- Understands and effectively uses Tier 1, taught Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary to extend and elaborate ideas EN1-VOCAB-01
English K-10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2022
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
Book now
Book your primary excursion using our online booking form.
Social stories
View social stories that explain what to expect on an incursion or excursion.
Learning resources
View online lessons that support primary incursion and excursion programs.
Flora and fauna fact sheets
View our curriculum-aligned fact sheets on Australian animals, plants, ecosystems and environments for NSW primary and secondary students, ideal for research, projects and classroom learning.