Experience Engage Enable
T: Telephone02 9816 1298
| Location | Field of Mars Reserve, Pittwater Road, East Ryde Wallumedegal Country |
| Bus access | Supply bus driver with Field of Mars Reserve bus information. No bus entry into Field of Mars Reserve. |
| Cost | 2023 DoE $24 per student - GST free 2023 Non-gov school cost $34 per student - GST free, minimum charge $600 |
| Risk assessment | Risk management plan COVID-19 safety plan |
| Tracks | View the YouTube track overview videos. |
| Welfare | Participants will be bushwalking during the day in rugged terrain. This excursion may not be suitable for people who have recently been unwell. |
| Bring | Backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, mask. Students wear reusable name tag and sports uniform. |
| View | Preparing for an excursion |
| Supporting resources | |
| Bin access | All student waste to be taken home by students. |
| Parent/carer helpers | Optional one or two parents per class, no siblings. Closed shoes essential. Check COVID-19 restrictions. |
| Medical or special needs | Notify Field of Mars staff prior to excursion. Students, staff and visitors must not attend if unwell, even with mild symptoms. |
| Extreme or wet weather | Days predicted to be above 35ºC, high winds, extreme bush fire danger and dust storms may result in the excursion being modified, postponed or cancelled. |
| Cancellations | Cancellations with less than three school weeks' notice will incur a $500 administration fee. This does not apply to cancellations due to weather, fire danger or COVID-19 restrictions. |
Time |
Classes A, B, C |
Classes D, E, F |
| 9.45 - 10.30 | Introduction Recess and toilets |
Introduction Recess and toilets |
| 10.30 - 12.00 | Sensory exploration of places |
People in places Forest places |
| 12.00 - 12.30 | Lunch |
Lunch |
| 12.30 - 2.00 | People in places Forest places |
Sensory exploration of places |
| 2.00 - 2.15 | Pack up, collect Garigan sticks, toilet, depart |
Pack up, collect Garigan sticks, toilet, depart |
Students investigate the features of the Field of Mars Reserve, the characteristics of places within the reserve and consider how they can care for them.
Inquiry questions
Fieldwork
Sensory exploration of places
Students use their senses to explore the banks of Buffalo Creek and the parkland, bushland and rocky outcrops nearby. Students use a pictorial map to plan their route, hear the Aboriginal Dreaming story of Garigan the blue-tongue lizard and bind raffia string on a stick to simulate the texture of a lizard’s back.
People in places
This activity takes place in a peaceful area where grassy recreational spaces mix with the bushland. Areas such as this have distinct meanings for Aboriginal Peoples and other people. After hearing some stories of people and place students are given freedom to plan, create and construct their own shelters using the abundant natural materials.
Forest places
Located on a sandstone platform surrounded by eucalyptus trees and shrubs, students work together to reach this special place using their pictorial maps. Other immersive activities may include a nature spot, hand-lens micro-hiking, symphony of bush sounds and a treasure hunt of natural materials.
Geography K-10 Syllabus (2015)
Outcomes
A student:
Content
Important places
Students:
Locating places
Students:
Other syllabus links
Learning experiences will also support but not explicitly teach the following content.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander places
Students:
address
Field of Mars Reserve
Pittwater Road
East Ryde NSW 2112
telephone 02 9816 1298
We’d like to acknowledge the Wallumedegal Peoples of the Darug Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we stand and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
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