Ranger for a day | Stage 1 HSIE geography excursion
Program overview
Students will learn about the Field of Mars Reserve, a home to Sydney’s native animals, and how it’s cared for. They’ll go on an adventure to find animal homes, search for birds and other bush animals, and learn how to care for and connect to nature.
Learning intentions
- We are learning how to observe living things in nature.
- We are learning how people care for nature.
Activities
Bushwalk
Students will act as park rangers and explore the Field of Mars Reserve to learn how to work together to care for and protect nature and the environment. They’ll engage in hands-on activities to improve the environment for living things and people, and they’ll also acknowledge the sustainable practices of the Wallumedegal Peoples.
Caring for the bush
Students investigate the reserve identifying how animals needs are met and ways rangers and the local community care for places. They will design their own mini national park providing habitat for a range of animals and facilities for park visitors.
Build an insect hotel
Students will learn about the homes of insect species. They will help to create an insect hotel to take back to school, one per class. The insect hotel should be placed off the ground, hung on a wall or placed on a bench near a garden bed to provide a home for insects.
Location options
Field of Mars Reserve
Main location – including risk assessment and risk management advice, bus map and track overview.
Buffalo Creek Reserve
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 Field of Mars Reserve. More than 6 classes will run across two sites – Field of Mars Reserve and Buffalo Creek Reserve. Please contact us. |
Bring |
Sports uniform, backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, reusable name tag. |
View |
|
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 |
Class A, B, C |
Class D, E, F |
| 9.45 - 10.30 |
Introduction Recess and toilets |
Introduction Recess and toilets |
| 10.30 - 12.00 | Bushwalk |
Habitat development Insect hotel |
| 12.00 - 12.30 | Lunch and toilets | Lunch and toilets |
| 12.30 - 2.00 |
Habitat development Insect hotel |
Bushwalk |
| 2.00 - 2.15 | Pack up, toilets and depart | Pack up, toilets and depart |
Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary
Syllabus outcomes and content
Human Society and its Environment K-6 Syllabus (2024)
People are connected to places and groups
Outcome
- Describes ways people connect to and care for places, water environments and each other, using geographical information HS1-GEO-01
Content
People engage in active citizenship by working together to care for places and each other
- Participate in the school or local community by caring for places and others
Other syllabus links
Learning experiences will also support but not explicitly teach the following content:
Aboriginal Peoples have a responsibility to Country
- Describe ways in which Aboriginal Peoples use Knowledge of the land, water and sky Country in everyday life
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.