Inquiry questions

Syllabus outcomes and content

Cross Curriculum Priorities

• Sustainability

Program activities

1	Fauna survey Students use GPS units to locate nest boxes around the site, then use camera poles and screens to view inside the nest boxes.
2	Vegetation survey Students analyse the vegetation at Brewongle, assessing vegetation type and structure.
3	Change since settlement Students will go on a guided bushwalk to photo points to compare the current site to historical images before conducting a human impacts assessment at the site.
4	Dharug land use & management Students listen to a local Aboriginal educator and learn about the ways local Aboriginal people used and managed the environment.
	Activity social story coming soon!

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 RECESS
10:05	Fauna survey (Intro together on grass hill)
11:00	Vegetation survey (Ridgetop classroom)
11:50	Change since settlement (Wisdom tree & walk)
12:40	LUNCH (in the field)
1:00	Dharug landuse & management (campfire)
1:50	Reflection of activities / Wrap up / Toilets
2:00	Farewell

Worksheet and pre-excursion activities

Pre- and post-excursion lessons are available in the student worksheet (link below).

Environmental change and management worksheet

Before the excursion

Your task is:

• to complete pre-visit activities in the student booklet that includes site research and designing your geographical inquiry

• to complete field work to answer the inquiry questions:

  • How do environments function at Brewongle EEC?
  • What are the causes and consequences of environmental change at Brewongle EEC?
  • How can these changes be managed?

Use the  Atlas of Living Australia  to discover biodiversity at Brewongle EEC. The link should take you to the data for Sackville North.

Wildlife Corridors

The Study Site

The site is located at Sackville North on a ridge above the Hawkesbury River.  The natural vegetation of the area has been modified by farming practices, school buildings and rural residential properties.

The land was originally inhabited by the Dharug Aboriginal nation and was farmed and hunted using traditional methods for 30-50,000 years.  The Sackville – Windsor area was considered suitable for farming and was settled in 1810.  The vegetation was severely modified following settlement.  This was initially restricted to the flood plain immediately adjacent to the river.

Sackville North Public School was located on the site from 1878-1972. Brewongle Field Studies Centre was opened officially in 1979 after the site was used for camping in the interim. It is now called Brewongle Environmental Education Centre and is a facility that hosts other schools on day and camp visits.

The site has been classified as having the vegetation community of Sydney Sandstone Gully Forest and Shale Sandstone Transition Forest with dominant tree species including Grey Gum (Eucalyptus punctata), and Grey Myrtle (Backhousia myrtifolia).

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