Stage 3
Students investigate connection to place through the natural environment around Wetlands Environmental Education Centre, including links to the Hunter River (Coquon).
Students will explore a freshwater wetland ecosystem and examine wetland animal and plant species and their use by Awabakal people. Students investigate how people change the natural environment in Australia and examine ways people influence the characteristics of places, including the management of spaces, Aboriginal land use and management practices.
Activities:
Introduction including history and traditional land use of the Hunter Wetlands.
· Aboriginal use of wetland plants and animals
· Aboriginal and colonial local history
· Seasonal calendars
· GPS Quest
For further information on curriculum links, program and excursion information see below or contact us.
Further Information
Location
Awabakal Environmental Education Centre- Wetlands Campus, 412 Sandgate Road, Shortland.
Syllabus outcomes and content
Stage 3 History outcomes
A student:
- describes and explains the significance of people, groups, places and events to the development of Australia HT3-1
- describes and explains different experiences of people living in Australia over time HT3-2
- applies a variety of skills of historical inquiry and communication HT3-5
Stage 3 Geography outcomes
A student:
- describes the diverse features and characteristics of places and environments GE3-1
- explains interactions and connections between people, places and environments GE3-2
Key inquiry questions
History- The Australian Colonies
What do we know about the lives of people in Australia's colonial past and how do we know?
How did an Australian colony develop over time and why?
How did colonial settlement change the environment?
What were the significant events and who were the significant people that shaped Australian colonies?
Geography- Factors that shape places
How do people and environments influence one another?
Content
History- The Australian Colonies
The nature of convict or colonial presence, including the factors that influenced patterns of development, aspects of the daily life of inhabitants (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) and how the environment changed (ACHHK094)
Students:
- outline settlement patterns in the nineteenth century and the factors which influenced them
- discuss the impact of settlement on local Aboriginal peoples and the environment
- discuss the diverse relationships between Aboriginal peoples and the British
- investigate the everyday life of a variety of men and women in post-1800 colonial settlements using a range of sources and explain their different experiences
Geography- Factors That Shape Places
Factors that change environments
Students investigate the ways people change the natural environment in Australia, for example:
- examination of how people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, have influenced each country’s environmental characteristics eg land clearing
Environments shape places
Students investigate how the natural environment influences people and places, for example:
- discussion of how climate influences the distribution of where people live
- comparison of how landforms influence where and how people live in Australia and another country
Learning across the curriculum
Sustainability
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
Ethical understanding
Bus information
Drop off and collection Awabakal Environmental Education Centre (AEEC), Wetlands Campus located at Hunter Wetlands Centre, 412 Sandgate Rd, Shortland, Newcastle.
Please use School entry.
What to bring
Printed workbook, clipboard and pencil.
Students should bring lunch, recess, refillable water bottle, hats, sunscreen, covered walking shoes plus any special requirements of the group (Wet weather gear when necessary). Non-aerosol insect repellent is advisable in summer.
Sample timetable
Introduction - 10:00 am
Morning tea - 10:20 am
Two learning activities - 10:40am
Lunch - 12:00pm
Two learning activties - 12:30pm
Finish- 2:00pm
Students will have morning tea and lunch on the grounds of the AEEC. This timetable is only a guide and may be adjusted.
Supervision
AEEC is a NSW Department of Education school and staff are trained DoE teachers specialising in Environmental Education.
AEEC teachers rely on the participation of visiting teachers to meet recommended supervision levels. Visiting teachers are ultimately responsible for behaviour of students, students with existing medical conditions or special needs.
Medical or special needs
Please notify Awabakal Environmental Education Centre of any medical conditions or special needs that may need to be taken into consideration when planning or delivering the program. Upon booking an excursion, a form will be emailed to complete to detail any medical or special needs.
Parent / carer helpers
As our staff are Department of Education teachers we don’t require parent helpers on the day. If your school decides to bring parents, we kindly ask that you keep the number to a minimum. For safety reasons and the nature of our sites, parents will not be able to participate in activities.
Extreme or wet weather
Extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall, high winds and extreme bush fire danger may result in the excursion being modified, postponed or cancelled. If you have any concerns regarding the weather prior to the excursion, contact Awabakal Environmental Education Centre on 4955 8673 or email awabakal-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au.
Cancellations
Cancellations less than three school weeks notice may incur an administration fee. This does not apply to cancellations due to weather or fire danger.
Bookings
For bookings click here.