S5 Outdoor education
Elective
Program
Gibberagong Environmental Education Centre offers flexible Stage 5 Outdoor Education excursions that support the NSW Department of Education Outdoor Education elective course, allowing students to apply classroom learning through authentic outdoor experiences.
Programs are tailored to your school's chosen modules and are delivered across Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Muogamarra Nature Reserve and other outdoor learning locations and may include bushcraft, navigation, expedition preparation, environmental conservation, canoeing, kayaking, snorkelling and leadership activities.
Schools can participate in either a one day program, or an overnight/camp program.
Key information
Learning activities
Core: Experiencing the outdoors
Students will be provided with opportunities to develop and apply their theoretical learning in the core unit through experiences in different outdoor activities at Bobbin Head or other locations.
Outcomes include safety outdoors, health and wellbeing in natural environments, first aid, explicit group participation and leadership skills, self-management and how the natural areas can be managed and protected over time.
Optional modules
Schools choose a combination of activities to enhance their learning at school.
| Optional module | Gibberagong activity |
1. Bushcraft and navigation in the outdoors |
Map and compass skills session includes:
Campsite and shelter building skills session includes:
|
2. First aid in outdoor environments |
Session includes:
|
3. Survival in outdoor environments |
Focus on preparing a risk assessment document for either canoeing or bushwalking by:
|
4. Environment and conservation |
Students will identify threats to the environment in this National Park and learn about management strategies to protect it for the future. Threats may include trampling, litter, microplastics, feral animals, spreading weed seeds and soil diseases, erosion of the foreshore etc. |
5. Building connection, environmental appreciation |
Students will enhance their personal connections with nature through mindfulness activities that may include nature journaling, magic spots, meditation in the rainforest, sound maps etc. |
5. Building connection, connecting with others |
Students will learn about connecting with others through a series of structured team building initiative games. They will learn explicit skills in effective communication, compromise, collaboration, decision making, leadership etc and be provided opportunities for personal reflection and goal setting. Skills learned in this module can then be applied to a bushwalk or canoeing activity. |
6. Mental and physical preparation for the outdoorsand7. Expedition preparation |
Students participate in a full day bushwalk. They plan their equipment, route, food and water intake, and take personal and group responsibility for their health, safety and wellbeing on the walk. *There are options for the length and difficulty of the hike depending on the fitness of the group. This could potentially involve an overnight camp. |
9. Bushwalking, orienteering |
Gibberagong is located in the Bobbin Head precinct in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park with access to walking trails and opportunities to practice navigation in different length activities. |
10. Snorkelling, and beach activities |
Gibberagong has fully qualified snorkel instructors to lead a full day snorkel diving program at Shelly Beach, Manly. *Offered in Term 1 or late Term 4 on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Max 1 class or 30 students per excursion. |
11. Kayaking and canoeing |
Gibberagong has canoe/kayak guides and instructors to lead a canoe and kayak sessions on Cowan/Cockle Creek. |
12. School-developed option |
Please contact Gibberagong if you have any other options you would like to explore. |
Suggested timetable
| Time | Class A, B | Class C, D |
| 10.00am | Acknowledgement of Country, Welcome, Overview of the day | |
| 10.20am | Morning Tea | |
| 10.30am | Building connection, environmental appreciation | Bushwalking, orienteering |
| 12.00pm | Lunch | |
| 12.30pm | Bushwalking, orienteering | Building connection, environmental appreciation |
| 1.15pm | Survival in outdoor environments | Survival in outdoor environments |
| 2.00pm | Conclusion and depart | |
* Please call the centre if you have more than 4 classes
With multiple locations, the school is able to host up to 8 classes on one day
Syllabus outcomes
Outdoor education 9-10 Elective
Outcomes
- OE5-2 investigates natural environments and their role in promoting health and wellbeing
- OE5-10 explains the relationship between environments and the health and wellbeing of people
- OE5-11 describes the impact of participation in practical outdoor education activities on natural environment/s over time
- OE5-12 proposes ways in which natural environments can be protected and/or managed
- OE5-13 demonstrates minimal impact techniques when participating in outdoor activities
Outdoor education elective
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 to the bus driver on the morning of the excursion. |
| Cost |
Standard excursion cost: 2026 DoE $20 per student - GST free 2026 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 - GST free Canoe excursion cost: 2026 DoE $30 per student - GST free 2026 Non-gov school cost $35 per student - GST free, minimum charge $750 per class. NOTE: National Parks entry is $1.10 per student in addition - GST free Snorkel excursion cost: 2026 DoE $30 per student - GST free + $40 parking - GST free 2026 Non-gov school cost $50 per student - GST free + $40 parking + GST |
| Class numbers and size | Please contact the centre to discuss. |
| 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, mask. 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. |
|
Canoe information (only applicable to those who book a canoe experience with their excursion) |
Please refer to the DoE policies for canoe activities to ensure your students meet the requirements before attending: Canoeing recreational |
|
Snorkel information (only applicable to those who book a snorkel experience with their excursion) |
Please refer to the DoE guidelines for snorkelling activities to ensure your students meet the requirements before attending: Snorkelling |
Excursion locations
With multiple locations, the school is able to host up to 8 classes on one day.
