Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

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

Earth's environment - National parks program

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Teacher checklist

Main location

Classes A, B

Start - Buffalo Creek Reserve - 117 Pittwater Rd, Hunters Hill

Finish - Magdala Park - Magdala Rd, East Ryde

Classes C, D

Start - Magdala Park - Magdala Rd, East Ryde

Finish - Buffalo Creek Reserve - 117 Pittwater Rd, Hunters Hill

Wallumedegal Country

Supply bus driver with

Buffalo Creek Reserve bus information

Magdala Park bus information

No bus entry into Buffalo Creek Reserve carpark. 

Magdala Park to Buffalo Creek Reserve risk management plan
View the YouTube track overview videos.

Buffalo Creek Reserve to Magdala Park track
Alternative location 1

STEP track via Canoon Road Recreation Area – Canoon Road, South Turramurra

Terramerragal Country

Google maps - Apple maps

Supply bus driver with Canoon Road Recreation Area bus access
STEP Track risk management plan
View the YouTube track overview video STEP track 
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
COVID COVID-19 safety plan
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.
View Preparing for an excursion
Supporting resources

Eucalypt Forest - available free on Apple Books

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 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

Time

Classes A, B, C

Classes D, E, F
9.45 - 10.15

Introduction - Buffalo Creek Reserve

Toilets, recess and equipment bags distributed

Introduction - Magdala Park

Toilets, recess and equipment bags distributed
10.15 - 1.15
Bushwalk and activities - Lane Cove National Park
 Bushwalk and activities - Lane Cove National Park
1.15 - 1.45

Lunch, toilets - Magdala Park

 Lunch, toilets - Buffalo Creek Reserve
1.45 - 2.00 Concluding activity Concluding activity
2.00 - 2.15 Pack up and depart from Magdala Park

Pack up and depart from Buffalo Creek Reserve

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Learning activities

Students investigate the importance of the natural vegetation and resources of the Lane Cove National Park to better understand why and how these places should be protected.

Inquiry questions

  • How does the environment support the lives of people and other living things?
  • How do different views about the environment influence approaches to sustainability?

Fieldwork

Bushwalk activities

Students will observe the features, variety of living things, human uses and management of the environments in Lane Cove National Park. Through teacher-led and student-directed activities students will develop their understanding of the importance of the national park. Strategies that protect the park will be highlighted throughout the walk.

Recording their observations in a take-home field journal, students will use a variety of fieldwork tools to gather information. These will include sensory observation of plants and animals, and recording through sketching, mapping, watercolour and tallies. Students will also work independently guided by task cards catering for a variety of learning styles. Teachers will be encouraged to take photographs for student use back in the classroom.

Concluding activity

To conclude the day the values of national parks and reserves will be explored through role play, reflection and discussion. Students reflect on their perceptions of Lane Cove National Park and debate why the area should or should not be protected. 

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Syllabus outcomes and content

Geography K-10 Syllabus (2015) 

Outcomes

A student:

  • examines differing perceptions about the management of places and environments GE2-3
  • acquires and communicates geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry GE2-4 

Content

Perception of environments

Students:

  • investigate the ways people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, value environments, for example:

    • discussion of why people value environments differently  

Protection of environments

Students:

  • investigate sustainable practices that protect environments, including those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, for example:

    • examination of how environments can be used sustainably

Other syllabus links

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

Geography K-10 Syllabus (2015) 

Outcomes

A student:

  • examines features and characteristics of places and environments GE2-1 
  • describes the ways people, places and environments interact GE2-2

Content

Significance of environments

Students:

  • investigate the importance of natural vegetation and natural resources to the environment, animals and people, for example: 

    • identification of types of natural vegetation eg forests, grasslands, deserts 

    • explanation of the importance of natural vegetation to animals and the functioning of the environment eg provision of habitats, production of oxygen  

    • discussion of the importance of natural vegetation and natural resources to people

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

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Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

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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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