Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

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

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

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). 

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 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

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