Brewongle Environmental Education Centre

Explore, Experience, Discover

Telephone02 4579 1136

Emailbrewongle-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Geography - Factors that shape places

 

As urban Sydney sprawls in all directions, Northwest Sydney is changing dramatically. This geographical inquiry will focus on the connections between people and the environment at Brewongle Environmental Education Centre and its surrounds at Sackville North on the Hawkesbury River.

 

Geographical inquiry questions

  • How does the natural environment influence people and places at Sackville North? 
  • How have people changed the natural environment at Sackville North? 
  • How can we reduce the impact of bushfires at Sackville North? 

Syllabus outcomes

  • GE3-1: Describes the diverse features and characteristics of places and environments 
  • GE3-2: Explains interactions and connections between people, places and environments 
  • GE3-3: Compares and contrasts influences on the management of places and environments 
  • GE3-4: Acquires, processes and communicates geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry

Activity 1 - Water quality

Students will walk to the Lookout where they will discuss the different ways people use the Hawkesbury River and use fieldwork equipment to test the quality of the water in the river. 

 

Activity 2 - Habitat assessment and human impacts

 Students will conduct a habitat and human impacts assessment of the Brewongle EEC site and discuss the different ways humans have changed the natural environment at Sackville North.

 

Activity 3 - Vegetation and bushfires

Students will assess two different sites for bushfire risk. They will create a nature map to illustrate vegetation layers and density at each site and collect a leaf from each site to conduct a burn test.

 

Time Group 1 & 2 Group 3 & 4 Group 5 & 6
9:45 Welcome to Brewongle / Safety Briefing 
10:00 RECESS
10:20

Water quality

(Lookout classroom)

Habitat assessment & human impacts

(Wattungle & Lookout classroom)

Vegetation & bushfires

(Ridgetop & Gully classroom)

11:20

Vegetation & bushfires

(Ridgetop & Gully classroom)

Water quality

(Lookout classroom)

Habitat assessment & human impacts

(Wattungle & Lookout classroom)

12:20

LUNCH

12:45

Habitat assessment & human impacts

(Wattungle & Lookout classroom)

Vegetation & bushfires

(Ridgetop & Gully classroom)

Water quality

(Lookout classroom)

1:45 Reflection of activities / Wrap up / Toilets
2:00 FAREWELL

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

Location Brewongle EEC, Sackville North
Bus  details

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.

Cost Refer to Brewongle's pricing page
Class numbers and size

Up to 6 classes per day or 180 students.

Maximum 30 students per class

Start and finish times

Arrival time is 9:45am

Departure time is 2pm

* discuss prior to your visit if you require alternate times

Risk Assessments Refer to Brewongle's risk management plans
Inclusive learning support

This program can be adapted for students with specific mobility requirements.

Please visit our inclusive education website for social stories and other excursion support materials.

Adverse weather

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

Please visit booking and cancellation policy to view our trigger points for cancellation.