Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

Emailfieldofmar-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Bush studio visual arts enrichment program

Bush studio
students holding a 'yah' photo
painting a landscape using ochre
green leaves

Teacher checklist

One day workshop

Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 August 2024

Location

Field of Mars Reserve, Pittwater Road, East Ryde

Wallumedegal Country

Google maps - Apple maps
Transport

Schools are required to organise transport for students to and from the location. No vehicles are permitted into Field of Mars Reserve.

Parking is available in the car park on Pittwater Road.
Cost

$48 per student - GST free

2025 $50 per student - GST free

This will be processed through the student's home school.
Risk assessment

Field of Mars Reserve risk management plan

COVID-19 safety plan
Tracks

View the YouTube track overview videos.

Buffalo Creek Track

Doyle and Warada loop track
Welfare

Participants will be bushwalking during the day in rugged terrain.

Limited wheelchair accessibility.

This excursion may not be suitable for people who have recently been unwell.

Students will be making and creating artworks. It is recommended that studetns bring art smocks.
Bring

Backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, art smocks, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes.

Students wear reusable name tag and sports uniform. 
View

Preparing for an excursion
Supporting resources Fact sheets
Bin access

All student waste to be taken home by students.
Medical or special needs

Notify EEC 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 four school weeks' notice will be charged the full fee. This does not apply to cancellations due to weather or fire danger.
How to book

Teachers are to complete the booking form for participating students.

Suggested timetable

Time

Students
9.30 - 10.00 Introduction and ice breaker activities
10.00 - 10.20 Recess
10.20 - 11.00

Inspired in nature

iPad photography
11.00 - 12.30 Art making
12.00 - 12.30 Lunch
12.30 - 1.45 Art making
1.45 - 2.00 Gallery walk
2.00 - 2.15 Pack up and depart

decorative image

Learning activities 

This is an immersive day, connecting students with nature, their creativity and visual art making. 

The day commences with students acknowledging Country and working together to build ephemeral artworks inspired by Andy Goldsworthy. Among other artists, students will learn about the work of contemporary Australian artists Nicole Foreshew, Bianca Hester, Mabel Julie and Nicholas Mangan.  

Students will go on a bushwalk and spend time in nature's classrooms to explore the natural features of the reserve through art making. Photography, sketching, etching, frottage and painting using water-colour will be used to think on the page about the things in their environment that can be seen and those that remain unseen. 

Instruction on the elements and principles of design, mixed-media, printmaking and collage will enhance students' abilities to create and appreciate artworks.

Maximum 8 students per school per day.

Decorative image

Syllabus outcomes and content 

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

Content

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
  • explore balance, scale and proportion in compositions to represent subject matter and ideas
  • demonstrate safe art making practices with respect for physical, social and digital saftey

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

Syllabus outcomes and content

Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus (2006)

Outcomes

VAS2.2 Uses the forms to suggest the qualities of subject matter

VAS2.4 Identifies connections between subject matter in artworks and what they refer to and appreciates the use of particular techniques.

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, 2006

Return to program summary

Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

General enquiries

CallGet directionsMail

Follow us

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.

Copyright for this website is owned by the State of New South Wales through the Department of Education. For more information go to http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/footer/copyright.