Primary HSIE Geography programs

Brewongle Environmental Education Centre provides engaging, hands-on HSIE Geography learning experiences for primary students from Early Stage 1 to Stage 3 (Kindergarten to Year 6). Located on Dharug Country at Sackville North in North West Sydney, our programs provide students with authentic opportunities to explore places, environments and connections through experiential, place-based learning.

Using Brewongle’s diverse natural environment, including bushland and Dyarubbin - the Hawkesbury River, students investigate the features of places, habitats and environments, connections between people and places, and the ways environments are valued, managed and cared for.

Programs are delivered by NSW Department of Education teachers and designed to support the K–6 Human Society and its Environment K–6 Syllabus (2024) while encouraging students to observe, investigate, ask questions, collect information and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. Hands-on fieldwork and geographical inquiry allow students to explore real-world environments and consider their own role in caring for places and Country.

Aboriginal perspectives and connection to Country are embedded across relevant programs. Where programs include Aboriginal cultural learning, we aim to have an Aboriginal Cultural Educator or Aboriginal Education Teacher present to facilitate and support learning. Where a cultural educator is not available, our experienced Brewongle teachers deliver the program using their cultural education knowledge and training, with ongoing support from cultural knowledge holders.

Excursions

People are connected to places - Eddy the Dharug boy

This engaging Early Stage 1 Geography excursion uses the story of Eddy the Dharug Boy to help students explore natural features of land, water and sky Country around Brewongle. They learn to understand how Aboriginal Peoples connect to the features of Country or Place in a variety of ways.

Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) program

People are connected to places and groups - Water Country

This immersive excursion invites students to discover the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and environmental significance of the Hawkesbury River, exploring the importance of waterways and the enduring relationship between people and this vital Water Country through hands-on learning, inquiry, and meaningful connections to the local environment.

Stage 1 (Year 1 and 2) program

People are connected to places and groups - Welcome to Country

This exciting excursion explores Dharug Country, engaging students in hands-on Aboriginal cultural learning through activities such as shelter building, Dharug language, storytelling, ochre painting, and hunting and gathering games.

Stage 1 (Year 1 and 2) program

Geographical information is used to understand the world - Understanding and caring for our world

This hands-on geography excursion engages students in exploring Indigenous land practices, navigation and fieldwork as they compare microclimates and deepen their connection to Country.

Stage 2 (Year 3 and 4) program

Geographical information is used to understand the world - Connecting to Country

Students explore how Aboriginal Peoples sustainably used the resources of Country through a bush resource walk, Dharug plant knowledge, storytelling with ochre and symbols, and traditional Indigenous games.

Stage 2 (Year 3 and 4) program

Geographical information is used for sustainable futures - Sustainable practices for the future

This excursion engages students in exploring Aboriginal knowledge systems, traditional firemaking, and cultural burning, before investigating bushfire risk and developing sustainable management strategies for Brewongle EEC.

Stage 3 (Year 5 and 6) program