The art of wellbeing | Stage 2 | Creative Arts and PDHPE excursion | Field of Mars EEC
Program overview
The art of wellbeing is a Stage 2 Creative Arts and PDHPE excursion where students spend an immersive day in nature combining art making and personal wellbeing. During a bushwalk through Field of Mars Reserve, students use the environment as inspiration to create a series of artworks using media such as drawing, watercolour and printmaking, while also practising nature-connection wellbeing activities inspired by the Japanese practice of forest bathing (mindfulness in nature) to build practical strategies they can use back at school.
Learning intention
- We are learning to use art forms to represent nature in artworks.
- We are learning to enhance our own wellbeing through activities in nature.
Activities
Wellbeing in nature - forest bathing
There is a growing body of evidence that shows that spending time in nature contributes to our sense of wellbeing. Japanese Forest Bathing is a wellness practice that involves mindfulness in nature as a way of promoting mental wellbeing and reducing stress. Noticing and slowing down helps promote a sense of calm. Students will learn a variety of mindfulness techniques, providing them with practical tools for maintaining their personal wellbeing back in their own school setting.
Creative walks
Students practise mindfulness through a sit spot or guided listening activity, noticing and recording natural and human-made sounds. Students reflect on how slowing down in nature can shift mood and support emotional regulation.
Students use mini magnifiers to investigate small details in the environment and search for something that creates a sense of awe and wonder. Students record wow findings through quick sketches or notes, linking close observation to wellbeing and engagement.
Students explore elements of art in the field by investigating colours and textures found in nature. Students experiment with techniques such as sandstone pigment rubs, frottage leaf or bark rubbings and a realistic leaf watercolour study to represent subject matter accurately.
Nature making
Students create an artwork inspired by natural patterns using ephemeral nature mandalas, collage and/or plant-printing back at the centre. The program concludes with a brief gratitude practice, where students identify one aspect of nature they feel thankful for and record it in their journal as a take-away wellbeing strategy.
This program is also available for Stage 3.
Location
Field of Mars Reserve
Main 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 |
Recommended maximum 4 classes with up to 30 students per class. |
Activities |
Activities may change to suit student needs, the selected site and weather conditions. |
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 |
Classes A, B |
Classes C, D |
| 9.45 - 10.30 | Introduction, recess and toilets | Introduction, recess and toilets |
| 10.30 - 12.00 | Boardwalk art making and wellbeing activities | Bushwalk wellbeing activities and art making |
| 12.00 - 12.30 | Lunch and toilets | Lunch and toilets |
| 12.30 - 2.00 | Bushwalk wellbeing activities and art making | Boardwalk art making and wellbeing activities |
| 2.00 - 2.15 | Pack up, toilets and depart | Pack up, toilets and depart |
Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary
Syllabus outcomes and content
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education K-10 syllabus (2024)
Identity, health and wellbeing
Outcomes
- Explains how related factors influence identity, health and wellbeing PH2-IHW-01
Decisions and actions promote health and wellbeing
Content
- Engage in and propose ways to increase opportunities for outdoor activities and explain the benefits to learning and wellbeing
Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus (2024)
Visual arts
Outcome
- Makes artworks using art forms to represent subject matter and ideas, and describes ways artists convey ideas about their world to audiences through artworks CA2-VIS-01
Making: Artists represent their world through subject matter and ideas in artworks
- Represent subject matter and ideas in artworks, making choices based on own interpretations of the world
- Use drawing materials and techniques to create effects with texture and tone to represent subject matter and ideas
Creative Arts 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
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education 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.
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