Bush Christmas incursion | Early Stage 1 Creative Arts
Program overview
Bush Christmas is an Early Stage 1–Kindergarten Creative Arts incursion where students explore an Australian bush Christmas through story, song and hands-on artmaking inspired by native animals, plants and natural materials.
Students identify simple animal features and habitats, then rotate through three visual arts activities to print a calico bag, create gum-leaf rubbing wrapping paper and press a clay ornament with natural materials. The session concludes with an Australian Christmas song accompanied by bush percussion instruments.
Learning intention
- We are learning to use materials and techniques to create artworks inspired by Australian plants and natural materials.
Jump to: Program and curriculum | Essential information | Plan and prepare | Location | Related programs
Program and curriculum information
Program activities
Activities may change to suit student needs, timing and school arrangements.
Introduction
Through a shared reading of an Australian Christmas story, students observe how Australian animals, plants, colours, shapes and patterns are represented. They identify visual details from the story and natural materials that will inspire the artworks they create.
Craft activities
In three groups, the students rotate through the following activities:
- Printing calico bags – Students use rollers and stencils to print a gum-leaf and flower design onto a calico bag. They experiment with printing tools, paint and repeated shapes to create a nature-inspired artwork.
- Making wrapping paper – Students place freshly fallen gum leaves beneath paper and use crayons to make leaf rubbings. They observe leaf veins, edges, shapes and textures while creating patterned wrapping paper.
- Pressing ornaments – Students press freshly fallen leaves and other naturally loose materials into clay to create a textured ornament.
Conclusion
The session concludes with the singing of an Australian Christmas song accompanied by bush percussion instruments.
Suggested timetable
Time |
Classes |
| 9.30–10.45 | Class A |
| 11.30–12.45 | Class B |
| 1.30–2.45 | Class C |
Include your school’s bell times in the notes section of the booking form. Session times may be adjusted in consultation with Field of Mars EEC staff.
Syllabus outcomes and content
Students will learn to
- experiment with painting, printmaking and clay techniques
- use tools and natural materials to create shapes, patterns and textures
- represent Australian plants, natural materials and ideas in artworks
- identify visual features that inspire their artmaking
The incursion directly supports the Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus (2024) through Visual Arts experiences in which students use materials, tools and techniques to represent subject matter and ideas.
Visual Arts
Outcome
- CAE-VIS-01 – experiments with and identifies ways materials and techniques are used to represent subject matter and ideas in artworks
Content addressed
- Making and exhibiting: Artists make artworks using materials and techniques to represent subject matter and ideas
- Make artworks inspired by personal experiences or imagination to represent subject matter and ideas
- Explore painting and printmaking materials and techniques, experimenting with tools to create effects
- Manipulate malleable materials to explore sculptural techniques and mould 3D forms
Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus (2024) © NSW Education Standards Authority 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 school $20 per student – GST free
Non-government school $26 per student – GST free, minimum charge $750 per class
A minimum charge of $750 per class applies to non-metropolitan schools.
Classes
A maximum of three program sessions can be delivered each day, with a recommended maximum of 25 students per session.
Schools requiring more than one program day should book consecutive days.
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
View incursion risk assessments
Notify Field of Mars EEC before the incursion about medical, mobility, sensory, communication or other support needs so reasonable adjustments can be considered.
The school should ensure the selected room, furniture arrangement and movement pathways meet the needs of participating students.
Classroom teachers are expected to attend and actively supervise students throughout the incursion.
Students who are unwell should not attend.
Weather, cancellations and rescheduling
The incursion may be modified, postponed or cancelled if travel or program delivery is unsafe because of extreme weather or fire danger.
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
Learning space and access
Provide one indoor space for all sessions. A school hall is preferred, although a prepared ground-floor room may be suitable.
Arrange vehicle access and parking close to the room because Field of Mars EEC staff transport a substantial amount of equipment. Allow access before the first session and after the final session for setup and pack-down.
When two consecutive days are booked, provide a secure place where program equipment can remain overnight.
Equipment and furniture
Please provide freshly fallen gum leaves, art smocks or aprons, drying space for bags and ornaments, three rectangular activity-table arrangements and floor space or additional tables for colouring.
Each activity area requires either two large trestle tables or six to eight desks, with enough space for students to stand safely around the tables.
Location
School incursions
Planning information for incursions delivered at your school, including learning spaces, accessibility, risk management and staff access.
Extend student learning
Use these student-friendly fact sheets before or after the Bush Christmas incursion to introduce Australian animals, native plants, habitats and nature-inspired artmaking.
- Phasmid fact sheet – Learn about leaf-mimicking insects with camouflage and body shapes that help them survive.
- Birds fact sheet – Explore feathers, beaks, wings, eggs and other features that help Australian birds survive.
- Tree habitat fact sheet – Discover how leaves, flowers, bark, branches and hollows provide food and shelter for wildlife.
- Sydney red gum fact sheet – Learn about a native eucalypt that provides leaves, flowers, nectar, shade and habitat.
Learn with us
Book this incursion
Book this Early Stage 1 Creative Arts incursion using our online booking form.
Learning resources
Use curriculum-linked digital books, lesson ideas and classroom activities to extend nature-inspired Creative Arts and environmental learning.
Related Early Stage 1 programs
Bowerbird builders incursion
Investigate bowerbirds and animal-built structures, then construct bowers and create artworks using natural and recycled materials.
Bush magic excursion
A PDHPE excursion where Kindergarten students use imaginative play, movement and games to build confidence, coordination and respect for the environment.