Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

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

Natural leader excursion program

Teacher checklist

Location

Field of Mars Reserve, Pittwater Road, East Ryde

Wallumedegal Country

Google maps - Apple maps

Supply bus driver with Field of Mars Reserve bus information

No bus entry into Field of Mars Reserve.

Field of Mars Reserve risk management plan

View the YouTube track overview videos.

Buffalo Creek track

Doyle and Warada loop track

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). 

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
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 three groups

Please note: Recommended maximum 90 students

Time

Group A, B, C

9.45 - 10.00

Introduction, recess and toilets

10.00 - 11.00 Challenge 1
11.00 - 12.00 Challenge 2
12.00 - 12:30

Lunch 

12.30 - 1.30

Challenge 3

1.30 - 2.00 Honouring ceremony
2.00 - 2.15 Pack up and depart


Learning activities

Students will be involved in a range of outdoor team building challenges aimed at developing achievement and success, positive relationships and connectedness, and a sense of meaning and purpose, all whilst being active and safe. 

Students will undergo three main activities, each of which is multifaceted and scaffolded in such a way to allow maximum participation by all. The day concludes with an honouring ceremony focused on celebrating and championing all members.

Challenges

Team challenge bushwalk

Students will pass through a maze of ropes before joining a small team. The teams will then go through a series of small challenges before embarking on a bushwalk. At the height of the walk students will work in pairs and undergo some blindfolded activities focused on trust and communication. 

Simulated water crossing

Teams will be tasked with a range of challenges that require constructive peer interactions,  self regulation and choice on how to best operate as an individual and as a team member. These activities will involve a small amount of water and some students may get wet. 

Traditional Indigenous games

Students will learn about the Bundjalung Nation and some traditional Indigenous games. Teams will undergo an initial challenge to set a required base level of skill for the following challenges that progressively increase in complexity which culminate in an entire group challenge.

Please note

Natural Leader is available year round if you have more than 50 leadership students.

For smaller cohorts of students, the program is available on specific dates.  Multiple schools will be working together on the same day.



Syllabus outcomes and content

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

Self-management and interpersonal skills

Outcome

  • 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