Program overview

This Stage 1 excursion provides students with opportunities for Nature Play while making meaningful connections with Aboriginal culture. The value of Nature Play can often be overlooked in busy curriculums, despite providing rich opportunities to address syllabus outcomes through authentic, hands-on learning.

Through Nature Play, students develop creative thinking, problem-solving and cognitive skills, support their emotional wellbeing, practise social skills through interactions with others, and strengthen their connection to the natural world. Students build awareness of changes in their environment while developing physical and sensory skills. Through these experiences, they also develop a stronger connection to place, learning more about themselves, their surroundings and their relationship with Country.

child digging in the dirt and playing with bark
student playing in a stream with water and holding a rock
Syllabus outcomes and content

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

Identity, health and wellbeing

Outcomes

  • PH1-IHW-01 describes factors that contribute to identity, health and wellbeing

Content

Factors and characteristics can shape identity

  • Describe how culture, family and place can shape identity

Responsible choices improve health and wellbeing

  • Describe how spending time outdoors supports health and wellbeing
  • Describe the benefits of bush food to improve health and wellbeing

Respectful relationships and safety

Outcomes

  • PH1-RRS-01 describes and demonstrates actions that support respectful relationships and safety offline and online

Content

Respectful relationships improve health and wellbeing

  • Describe ways Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ connections to Country/Place and others enhance wellbeing
  • Describe how connecting to family, people, groups and places contributes to health and wellbeing

Self-management and interpersonal skills

Outcomes

  • PH1-SMI-01 describes and demonstrates self-management and interpersonal skills in a range of contexts

Content

Responsible choices and actions promote self-management skills

  • Recognise emotional responses to various situations and describe the impact on themselves and others
Program activities
1

Nature art installations

Students use natural items in nature to create ephemeral art installations. They consider cultural connections to place and how these connections contribute to the identity of people from the past and present. Students explore the ways connections to Country/Place through Nature Play in the outdoors support and enhance health and wellbeing.

2

Sensory scavenger hunt

Students explore connections to place and people, and benefits to wellbeing. Students use Scavenger Hunt Cards to complete a scavenger hunt connecting students to place through natural materials, and people through working co-operatively.

3

Nature journalling with observational challenges

Students consider Aboriginal artforms and their purpose. Students create their own nature inspired artworks with a given focus.

4

Mini nature tasks

Revise and discuss how spending time outdoors supports health and wellbeing. Work with your team to find and complete 4 mini nature tasks.

Activity social stories to come!
Recommended timetable

Sample of a 1 group program

For multiple groups/classes, the same activities are run on an alternating schedule

9:45

Welcome to Brewongle

Safety briefing

10:00 RECESS
10:15 Nature art installations
11:00 Sensory scavenger hunt
11:45 Nature journalling with observational challenges
12:30 LUNCH
12:55 Mini nature tasks
1:40 Wrap up / Toilets
2:00 Farewell
Worksheet and pre-excursion activities
There is no worksheet for this program
Teacher information
Location Brewongle Environmental Education Centre, Sackville North
Transport

Buses are booked by the visiting school.

A map to the bus parking will be sent with the schools confirmation email. Please ensure you print the map and give to the bus driver the morning of the excursion.

Program costs Program costs
Student numbers

Maximum student numbers are 30 students per class - up to 6 classes per day

No minimum student numbers (instead possible minimum costs)

Supporting teachers and staff Minimum requirement is one teacher per attending class
Program start and finish times

Brewongle arrival time is 9:45 am - departure time is 2 pm

* discuss prior to your visit if you require alternate times

Medical and welfare notifications

Using the Brewongle medical and welfare form (sent with the confirmation email), inform Brewongle staff of any medical conditions or special requirements prior to the visit

This program can be adapted for teachers and students with specific mobility requirements

Adverse weather

Visit our visitor information page to view our weather trigger points for program changes

On days where the weather is unsuitable, a Brewongle staff member will contact the organising teacher to discuss alternative arrangements

Booking and cancellation policy requirements

Brewongle booking and cancellation policy

Student attendance numbers confirmed 7 days prior to visit

Cancellation fees may apply

Inclusive learning support Visit our inclusive education website for further excursion support materials

Booking enquiries

Get in touch to ask a question, plan a visit or find out more about what we offer

Inclusive learning support

Brewongle EEC provides inclusive learning support through accessible, hands-on, and differentiated programs that cater to diverse learning needs, ensuring all learners can engage meaningfully with curriculum-based experiences in nature.