Challenge + excursion program

Teacher checklist

Location	Field of Mars Reserve, Pittwater Road, East Ryde Wallumedegal Country Google maps - Apple maps
Bus access	Supply bus driver with Field of Mars Reserve bus information No bus entry into Field of Mars Reserve.
Cost	2024 DoE $24 per student - GST free 2025 DoE $25 per student - GST free 2024 Non-gov school cost $34 per student - GST free, minimum charge $700 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
Risk assessment	Field of Mars Reserve risk management plan
Welfare	Students will be outdoors most of the day, walking along rugged terrain. Some students may get wet during activities. Students can opt out of splash area. Limited wheelchair accessibility. 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.
View	Preparing for an excursion
Tracks	View the YouTube track overview videos. Doyle and Warada loop track
Bin access	All student waste to be taken home by students.
Parent/carer helpers	Not required. If parents attend please ensure they wear closed shoes. No siblings.
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 four school weeks' notice will incur a $500 administration fee. This does not apply to cancellations due to weather or fire danger.

Suggested timetable for up to six classes

Please note: 100 students or less will operate in three groups

Time	Classes A, B, C, D, E, F
9.45 - 10.00	Introduction Recess and toilets
10.00 - 11.00	Challenge one
11.00 - 12.00	Challenge two
12.00 - 12:30	Lunch
12.30 - 1.30	Challenge three
1.30 - 2.00	Whole group game
2.00 - 2.15	Pack up and depart

Learning activities

Students will be involved in a range of outdoor team building challenges aimed at testing their problem solving, map reading and leadership skills.

Up to two classes combine and will rotate between three activities and/or games. The day concludes with all classes combining for a final game.

Challenges

Orienteering photo rally

Students will be provided with a map and an iPad for taking photos. In groups of four to five, students will navigate using the map to find clues. The clue explains the group 'selfie' for that location. Fast-finshers can use their photos to create a movie trailer.

Challenge bushwalk

Students will go on a guided bushwalk where they will be encouraged to explore, use their senses and support each other.

Fort building (owls and possums)

Groups will be split into two teams. One team, possums, will use sticks to build a fort wall (possum nest) designed to protect them from a water cannon attack. The second team, owls, will fill buckets and return to mount their attack. Groups then swap roles.

Syllabus outcomes and content

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education K-6 Syllabus (2024)

Self-management and interpersonal skills

Outcome

explains and applies self-management and interpersonal skills in a range of contexts PH2-SMI-01

Content

Interpersonal skills promote positive interactions and collaboration

Apply problem-solving and decision-making actions to enhance learning
Apply interpersonal skills to enhance positive and respectful interactions
Demonstrate respectfully winning, losing and accepting decisions
Apply communication and cooperation skills in group activities to promote inclusion

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education 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

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education K-10 Syllabus (2018)

Outcomes

A student:

demonstrates a range of interpersonal skills that build and enhance relationships and promote inclusion in various situations PD2-10

Content

Students:

explore how success, challenge and overcoming adversity strengthens identity, for example:
- explain how persistence and meeting challenges strengthens identity
make positive contributions to group activities, for example:
- work in a group to achieve a set task or goal

Other syllabus links

Learning experiences will also support but not explicitly teach the following:

Learning across the curriculum

Critical and creative thinking

Students are provided with opportunities to think critically about the qualities and attributes that build resilience and enhance and maintain caring and respectful relationships.

Personal and social capability

Through opportunities to work collaboratively, students develop their personal and social skills and an appreciation for the different insights and perspectives of their peers and community.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education K-10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2018

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

Challenge + excursion program

Teacher checklist

Suggested timetable for up to six classes

Time

Classes A, B, C, D, E, F

Learning activities

Syllabus outcomes and content

Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

General enquiries

Follow us