Aboriginal connections to Country excursion | Stage 1 HSIE History and Geography | Field of Mars EEC
Program overview
Aboriginal connections to Country is a Stage 1 HSIE History and Geography excursion where students explore Aboriginal Peoples’ continuing connections and responsibilities to Country through storytelling, bushwalking and hands-on activities.
Students identify features of land, water and sky Country, investigate how Country provides food, tools and medicines, and consider how knowledge is communicated and places are cared for across generations.
Learning intentions
- We are learning to identify features of land, water and sky Country.
- We are learning to describe Aboriginal Peoples’ continuing connections and responsibilities to Country.
Jump to: Program and curriculum | Essential information | Plan and prepare | Location | Related excursions
Program and curriculum information
Program activities
Activities may change to suit student needs, timing, excursion locations and weather conditions.
Acknowledgement of Country and shared story
Students begin with an Acknowledgement of Country and learn about the Traditional Custodians connected to the excursion location. A shared story introduces ideas about Country, respectful listening and continuing connections to Place.
Sand stories
Students interpret story elements and animal tracks represented with symbols in sand. They then create a simple sand story to communicate observations about Country, animals and important places.
Plant resources bushwalk
Students use their senses to identify natural features and local plants during a guided bushwalk. They explore examples of how Aboriginal Peoples have used plants and other natural materials for food, tools and medicines.
Waterways memory game and nature orchestra
Students investigate a water environment, identify natural features and discuss how waterways change over time. They complete a nature-based memory activity and use natural materials to recreate the calls of local frogs.
Boomerang throwing and rhythm game
Students examine how boomerangs can be used as tools and participate in a call-and-response rhythm activity. The experience develops listening, coordination, cooperation and an understanding that knowledge can be communicated in different ways.
Totems
Students explore relationships between local animals, habitats and caring for living things. Working in teams, they match food and habitat resources to an animal and construct a small habitat model.
Reflection circle and ephemeral artwork
Students collaborate to create a temporary artwork using loose natural materials found on the ground. The excursion concludes with a reflection circle where students recount what they have learned about connecting to and caring for Country.
Suggested timetable
Time |
Classes A, B, C |
Classes D, E, F |
| 9.45–10.30 | Introduction, toilets and recess | |
| 10.30–12.00 |
Plant resources bushwalk Waterways memory game and nature orchestra |
Animal totem relay Boomerang throwing and and rhythm game |
| 12.00–12.30 | Lunch and toilets | |
| 12.30–2.00 |
Animal totem relay Boomerang throwing and and rhythm game |
Plant resources bushwalk Waterways memory game and nature orchestra |
| 2.00–2.15 |
Reflection circle Pack up, toilets and depart |
|
Syllabus outcomes and content
Students will learn to
- identify features of land, water and sky Country
- describe interactions between Aboriginal Peoples and Country
- recognise physical, spiritual and Cultural connections to Country
- describe ways Aboriginal Peoples use knowledge of Country in everyday life
- use stories, images, objects and places to learn about Aboriginal Cultures and Histories
- describe responsibilities for caring for places and water environments
The excursion directly supports the Human Society and its Environment K–6 Syllabus (2024) through authentic learning experiences in bushland and water environments.
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
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 that Aboriginal Peoples’ responsibility to Country can incorporate physical, spiritual and Cultural connections
Aboriginal Peoples have rich and diverse Cultures and Histories
- Locate and discuss objects and sites that provide evidence of 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 also support, but do not explicitly teach, the following outcome.
English K–10 Syllabus (2022)
- 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
Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary
Essential information
Cost, class numbers and booking
Cost
DoE $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
Recommended maximum 4 classes at Buffalo Creek Reserve, with up to 30 students per class.
More than 4 classes will require Buffalo Creek Reserve and Field of Mars Reserve. Please contact us.
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.
Risk assessment and accessibility
Buffalo Creek Reserve risk assessment – main location
Field of Mars Reserve risk assessment – alternative location
Blackman Park risk assessment – alternative location
Buffalo Creek Reserve is not wheelchair accessible. Some areas at Field of Mars Reserve and Blackman Park are wheelchair accessible.
The program includes bushwalking on uneven natural tracks.
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.
What students should bring
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
Plan and prepare for your visit
Aboriginal connections to Country social story
Help Year 1 and Year 2 students understand the excursion location, outdoor routines and activities they may complete during their visit.
Preparing for your excursion
Find information about what students should wear and bring, transport, arrival procedures, safety and preparing classes for outdoor learning.
Location options
Buffalo Creek Reserve
Main location
Find risk assessment information, risk management advice, bus access details and walking track information for Buffalo Creek Reserve.
Field of Mars Reserve
Alternative location
Find risk assessment information, risk management advice, bus access details and walking track information for Field of Mars Reserve.
Blackman Park
Alternative location
Find risk assessment information, risk management advice, bus access details and walking track information for Blackman Park.
Extend student learning
Use these student-friendly fact sheets before or after the Aboriginal connections to Country excursion to explore Country, local plants, animals, habitats, waterways and sustainable care for places.
- Eucalypt forest ecosystems fact sheet – Explore the bushland, plants, animals and habitats connected to the excursion.
- Grass tree fact sheet – Learn about a slow-growing native plant with a tall flower spike and cultural significance.
- Old man banksia fact sheet – Discover a local banksia that provides nectar, seeds and shelter for animals.
- Grey mangrove fact sheet – Learn about a salt-tolerant tree found beside tidal waterways and mudflats.
- Habitat fact sheet – Learn how places provide food, water, shelter and space for living things.
- River and creek environments fact sheet – Explore waterways, creek banks and living things connected to water Country.
Learn with us
Book this excursion
Book this Stage 1 HSIE History and Geography excursion using our online booking form.
Learning resources
Explore primary learning resources that support learning about Country, places, plants, animals and caring for environments.
Related Stage 1 excursions
Bushland adventure excursion
Develop fundamental movement skills, teamwork and fair play through active games and guided bushland exploration.
Water environments excursion
Investigate creeks, rivers and mangroves and explore how people use, value and care for water environments.