Schoolyard safari excursion program

Teacher checklist

Main Location	Field of Mars Reserve, Pittwater Road, East Ryde Wallumedegal Country Google maps - Apple maps
	Supply bus driver with Field of Mars Reserve bus information No bus entry into Field of Mars Reserve.
	Field of Mars Reserve risk management plan
	View the YouTube track overview videos. Buffalo Creek track Doyle and Warada loop track
Alternate location	Buffalo Creek Reserve, 117 Pittwater Road, Hunters Hill Wallumedegal Country Google maps - Apple maps
	Supply bus driver with Buffalo Creek bus information. No bus entry into Buffalo Creek Reserve carpark.
	Buffalo Creek Reserve risk management plan
	View the YouTube track overview videos. Sugarloaf Point loop track
Cost	2025 DoE $25 per student - GST free 2025 Non-gov school cost $35 per student - GST free, minimum charge $750 Term 1 - Catholic school Weeks 3 to 7 cost = DoE cost - GST free, minimum charge $750 Schools are to confirm the number of students and classes at least 7 days prior to attending. Schools will be charged based on the number of students confirmed or number of students who attend on the day (whichever is greater).
Welfare	Participants will be bushwalking during the day in rugged terrain. Limited wheelchair accessibility. Email to confirm with location. 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. Students wear reusable name tag and sports uniform.
Please provide	Two tote trays per class to transport your clay models back to school.
View	Preparing for an excursion
Supporting resources	Student activities Social story – Schoolyard safari - written for Field of Mars Reserve Invertebrate Explorer - available free from Apple Books Animal and plant fact sheets
Bin access	All student waste to be taken home by students.
Parent/carer helpers	Optional one parent per class, no siblings. Closed shoes essential.
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 30 working school days notice will incur a $600 administration fee. Cancellations with less than 7 working school days notice will incur the full cost for the program based on the original booking. Cancellations due to weather or fire danger are exempt from fees.

Suggested timetable for up to six classes

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	Bushwalk	Invertebrate investigations
12.00 - 12.30	Lunch	Lunch
12.30 - 2.00	Invertebrate investigations	Bushwalk
2.00 - 2.15	Pack up, toilets and depart	Pack up, toilets and depart

Schoolyard safari excursion

Science and technology

Program

Students will investigate the features and habitats of small bushland animals.

Learning intention

We are learning to describe the external features and habitats of animals.

Activities

Bushwalk

During a bushwalk, students will observe various environments and the places where small animals live. Students will learn to look for animal evidence like tracks, scats, and sounds.

Invertebrate investigation

Students will collect leaf litter invertebrates, examine them with magnifiers and ID charts, and learn about their features and adaptations.

Build a bug

The session starts with the picture book The Ugly Bug. Students will make small clay models of invertebrates using paper clay, inspired by their observations of the collected invertebrates, embedded specimens, and illustrations.

Syllabus outcomes and content

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2017)

Living world

observes, questions and collects data to communicate and compare ideas ST1-1WS-S
describes observable features of living things and their environments ST1-4LW-S

Content

Working Scientifically

explore and answer questions through participation in guided scientific investigations
compare observations with those of others
make safe choices when using materials and equipment

External features of living things

describe the external features of a variety of living things

Living things live in different places

identify that living things live in different places that suit their needs

Other syllabus links

Learning experiences will also support but not explicitly teach the following outcomes and content.

Geography K-10 Syllabus (2015)

Features of places

Outcomes

describes features of places and the connections people have with places GE1-1
communicates geographical information and uses geographical tools for inquiry GE1-3

Content

Features of places

investigate features of places and how they can be cared for, for example:
description of the natural and human features of places
consideration of how a place can be cared for

Curriculum note - this excursion is aligned with the language, learning models and experiences of the Primary Connections Stage 1 unit Schoolyard Safari.

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2017

Geography K-10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2015

Return to program summary

Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

address Field of Mars Reserve
Pittwater Road
East Ryde NSW 2112

telephone 02 9816 1298

email fieldofmar-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Get directions

Schoolyard safari excursion program

Teacher checklist

Suggested timetable for up to six classes

Time

Classes A, B, C

Classes D, E, F

Schoolyard safari excursion

Science and technology

Program

Syllabus outcomes and content

Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

General enquiries

Follow us