Liveability of places excursion | Place and liveability | Stage 4 Geography

Fieldwork activities

Activities may change to suit student needs, timing and weather conditions.

Mapping and field sketch

Students use a map to orient themselves and investigate the natural and built features of the Shepherds Bay precinct. They annotate spatial information and complete a field sketch while recording observations of services, facilities and environmental quality.

Liveability and community survey

Students complete a researcher profile to identify subjective influences on their own perceptions of liveability. They then use observations, a community survey, bipolar analyses and digital instruments to collect qualitative and quantitative data about housing, services, facilities, infrastructure, environmental quality, social and cultural diversity, and community activity across selected sites.

Living river assessment

Students investigate historical and current uses of the Parramatta River and examine the former Meadowbank Public Baths and the Our Living River initiative as a liveability case study. They test turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH and aesthetic qualities and use their results to assess whether the river currently meets recreational water-quality expectations.

Discussion and reflection

Students investigate historical and current uses of the Parramatta River and examine the former Meadowbank Public Baths and the Our Living River initiative as a liveability case study. They test turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH and aesthetic qualities and use their results to assess whether the river currently meets recreational water-quality expectations.

Worksheet and supporting resources

Student worksheet

Download the Liveability of places student worksheet.

Schools are responsible for printing one worksheet for each student before the excursion.

Teacher and student resources

View the Fieldwork techniques learning resource.

Suggested timetable

Time	Activities
9.30–10.00	Arrival, introduction, fieldwork preparation and toilets
10.00–11.30	Fieldwork activities
11.30–12.00	Food break and toilets
12.00–1.30	Fieldwork activities
1.30–2.00	Food break and toilets
2.00–2.15	Conclusion and depart

The timetable may change according to class numbers, selected walking routes, student learning needs and weather.

Syllabus outcomes and content

Students will learn to

• identify and describe natural and built features of an urban place
• use maps, annotations and field sketches to record geographical information
• collect qualitative and quantitative data using observations, surveys, bipolar analyses, digital instruments and water-quality testing
• distinguish between objective measures and subjective perceptions of liveability
• assess environmental, social, cultural, economic and political influences on liveability
• investigate how housing, infrastructure, services, facilities and community connections affect liveability
• compare experiences and perceptions of liveability among different people
• examine the perspectives and actions of people, local government and other organisations
• explain how changed land use and human activity affect environmental quality and liveability
• evaluate planning strategies and propose evidence-based improvements to liveability
• communicate geographical conclusions using appropriate concepts, data and terminology

NSW Geography 7–10 Syllabus (2024)

Focus area

Liveability of places

Outcomes

• GE4-DFC-01 – locates the diverse features and describes the characteristics of a range of places and environments
• GE4-PRI-01 – explains the processes and interactions that change people, places and environments
• GE4-PER-01 – examines and describes the perspectives of people and organisations on a range of geographical issues
• GE4-MAN-01 – explains the management and protection of places and environments
• GE4-TAP-01 – selects and uses geographical tools to acquire and process geographical information
• GE4-COM-01 – uses concepts and terminology to communicate geographical information for a range of purposes, audiences and contexts

Content

Thinking and working geographically

• Use relevant geographical concepts
• Engage in geographical inquiry using geographical information
• Use relevant geographical tools

Perceptions of liveability

• Environmental, social, economic and political factors that affect the liveability of places
• Diverse experiences and different perceptions of the liveability of places
• Methods used to measure, assess or rank liveability

Influences and impacts on liveability

• Influences of social, cultural and community connections on liveability
• Access to services and facilities that influence the liveability of places
• Physical and human influences that impact environmental quality and the liveability of places

Enhancing liveability

• Planning strategies used to enhance the liveability of a place for groups of people

Geography 7–10 Syllabus (2024)⁠ © NSW Education Standards Authority for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024.

Vocabulary

amenity, bipolar analysis, built environment, community connection, environmental quality, facility, field sketch, geographical inquiry, liveability, natural feature, perception, primary data, qualitative data, quantitative data, service, social connectedness, urbanisation, water quality

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

Classes

Temporary maximum of four classes, with up to 30 students per class.

The reduced class limit applies while construction noise affects the Mill Park walking route.

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.

Book this Stage 4 Geography excursion⁠

Risk assessment, route and accessibility

View the Meadowbank Wharf risk assessment and location information.

The program involves walking throughout the day through an urban public environment and along the Parramatta River foreshore. Each class may follow a different walking route around Meadowbank and Shepherds Bay.

Some parts of the program route may not be wheelchair accessible. Contact Field of Mars EEC before the excursion to discuss mobility requirements, route modifications or other access needs.

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 to bring and prepare

School preparation

• Print one worksheet for each student.
• Organise students into suitable working groups.
• Ensure students bring writing materials and a clipboard.
• Review the Fieldwork techniques learning resource.
• Confirm class routes and meeting arrangements with Field of Mars EEC.
• Advise Field of Mars EEC of learning, medical or access requirements.

Students should bring

School sports uniform, backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunscreen, raincoat, hat, sturdy closed shoes, pencils, clipboard and a reusable name tag.

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

Start and finish locations

Meadowbank Wharf is the current start and finish location while the Mill Park route is unavailable because of construction noise.

Each class follows a different walking route through Meadowbank and Shepherds Bay and along the Parramatta River foreshore. Contact Field of Mars EEC for planning assistance.

Walking route	Number of classes	Start and finish location
North-south walk	Up to 4 classes	Mill Park (temporarily not in use due to construction noise)
East-west walk	Up to 4 classes	Meadowbank wharf