Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

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

Kids vs wild 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
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 been recently 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

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 two classes

 

Time

Classes A, B

9.45 - 10.20 Introduction, recess and toilets
10.20 - 11.30

Challenge course

11.30 - 11.45

Fruit break 

11.45 - 12.30

Bush walk

12.30 - 1.00

Shelter building

1.00 - 1.30 Lunch
1.30 - 2.00 Final challenge
2.00 - 2.15 Pack up and depart


Learning activities

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

Introduction 

Students wil be introduced to the key concepts and skills in the team challenge, map reading, scavenger hunt and the use of equipment and control cards.

Field activities

Challenge course 

In small groups, students will use their maps and compasses to navigate to eight stations where they will solve riddles and collect a piece of equipment for later use. Each group will also collect clues to reveal the native animal their team will represent. 

Bushwalk 

Students will go on a guided bushwalk to observe animal habitats and learn about their native animal. Whilst in the bush students will develop a team brand and represent it using charcoal and facepaint. Upon their return students will present their team brand and information about their animal.

Shelter construction 

Students use the information and equipment from the challenge course to build a shelter to protect their team from an imminent 'rain storm'. After the 'storm' passes students can use their  shelter as a lunch spot.

Conclusion


Students will reflect on the activities and skills they have developed. 
 



Syllabus outcomes and content

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

Self-management and interpersonal skills

Outcomes

  • evaluates and applies self-management and interpersonal skills in a range of contexts PH3-SMI-01

Content

Self-management skills are supported by informed decisions

  • Apply problem-solving and decision-making actions across contexts
  • Explain and demonstrate when resilience strategies can be applied across a range of contexts

Interpersonal skills enhance positive interactions and effective communication

  • Apply and evaluate interpersonal skills to make decisions that support the wellbeing of themselves and others
  • Apply and explain how respectfully winning, losing and accepting decisions can enhance positive interactions
  • Describe and demonstrate respectful and effective communication to promote leadership, inclusion and collaboration

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)

Health, wellbeing and relationships 

Outcomes

  • applies and adapts self-management skills to respond to personal and group situations PD3-9 
  • selects and uses interpersonal skills to interact respectfully with others to promote inclusion and build connections PD3-10 

Content

How do empathy, inclusion and respect have an impact on myself and others? 

  • practise skills to establish and manage relationships

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