Learning activities

Sensory bush walk

Students will be led on a guided bush walk, using their senses to explore textures, colours, sounds, and scents in nature. They will examine leaves and bark and investigate plants, animals, and landscape features. Discussions will help students reflect on what makes a place special and how to care for it.

Exploring places

Students will explore natural and human features of bushland, waterways, and coastal environments. They will identify features of the landscape and record their findings through drawing and discussion. Students will investigate the plants and animals that live in these places and will also learn about how Aboriginal Peoples have long connected with and cared for these places through sustainable practices, stories, and traditions, deepening their understanding of Country.

Forest story – How places change over time

Through a storytelling session, students learn how places can change due to human impact. They then work together to rebuild a play forest, placing small trees, rocks, and animals back into the landscape to restore the habitat.

Suggested timetable

Time	Classes A & B	Classes C & D
10:00am	Welcome, Acknowledgement of Country, Overview of the day
10:10am	Morning Tea
10:30am	Sensory bush walk
12:00pm	Lunch
12:30pm	Mapping activity Forest story & free play	Forest story & free play Mapping activity
1.50pm	Conclusion and depart

* Please call the centre if you have more than 4 classes.

Syllabus outcomes

Human Society and its Environment K-6 Syllabus (2024)

Outcomes

• HSE- ACH-01 Identifies ways that Aboriginal Peoples connect with Country, Culture and Community
• HSE-GEO- 01 Identifies and locates places people connect with, using geographical information

Content

People are connected to places

Aboriginal Peoples are the Traditional Custodians of Country

• Describe natural features of land, water and sky Country by engaging with Aboriginal Dreaming Stories and Languages
• Identify specific terms Aboriginal Peoples may use to refer to the Country they connect to

Places can be located and described using geographical information

• Describe natural and human features of Australian coastal and inland places using Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary
• Observe and record natural and human features of familiar places and present in data displays
• Recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples connect to the features of Country or Place in a variety of ways

People are connected to places and each other

• Identify own connections to places and describe why some places are special
• Describe own connections to groups
• Collect and represent data about connections people have with places and groups
• Identify and describe how people care for places

Cost and details

Bus access map	Map for access to venue will be sent with the confirmation. Please ensure you print a copy and provide it to the bus driver on the morning of the excursion.
Cost	2025 DoE $20 per student - GST free 2025 Non-gov school cost $25 per student - GST free, minimum charge $750 per class NOTE:  National Parks entry is $1.10 per student in addition
Class numbers and size	Up to 4 classes Max. 30 students per class Please contact the centre if you have more than 4 classes.
Risk assessments	A complete risk assessment will be sent upon confirmation.
What to bring	Backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes. Students wear sports uniform.
Adverse weather	On days where the weather is unsuitable (see risk assessment), a Gibberagong staff member will contact the organising teacher to discuss alternative arrangements. Please check your bus company’s cancellation policy.
Medical notifications	Notify Gibberagong EEC by completing and returning the medical form before the excursion. This form will be sent out upon confirmation of booking.