Royal National Park Environmental Education Centre

Telephone02 9542 1951

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

Caring for Dharawal Country

Science and Technology, Geography, History (2017 and 2024 Syllabuses)

On this cross-curricular program, students examine Aboriginal resources and places. Caring for Country is woven throughout the day’s activities.

Program feedback

"All of the hands on activities were really memorable for the kids and I believe this will make it a breeze to make lots of connections to our prior and future learning. The Caring for Country activities, in particular the bush walk, really helped students to appreciate nature and have an understanding for living on Dharawal country and what that means." 

Learning activities

Students:

  • gain an appreciation of Dharawal connections with the land and caring for Country
  • examine Aboriginal artefacts and preserved animals and consider their uses and materials 
  • play Aboriginal games using natural materials
  • explore plant uses on a bushwalk
  • use their senses to observe natural features and relate them to Dharawal seasonal calendars
  • paint with ochres 
  • use natural fibres for plaiting or weaving
  • listen to a Dreaming story relevant to the site

Recommended excursion sites

Outcomes

Science and Technology

A student:

  • identifies how plants and animals are used for food and fibre products ST1-5LW-T
  • describes how the properties of materials determine their use ST1-7MW-T
  • recognises observable changes occurring in the sky and on the land and identifies Earth’s resources ST1-10ES-S

Geography

A student:

  • describes features of places and the connections people have with places GE1-1
  • identifies ways in which people interact with and care for places GE1-2

History

A student:

  • identifies and describes significant people, events, places and sites in the local community over time HT1-2

People are connected to places and groups

Outcomes

  • describes interactions between Aboriginal Peoples and Country HS1-ACH-01
  • describes ways people connect to and care for places, water environments and each other, using geographical information HS1-GEO-01

Content

Aboriginal Peoples have a responsibility to Country

  • Describe ways in which Aboriginal Peoples use Knowledge of land, water and sky Country in everyday life
  • Recognise Aboriginal Peoples’ responsibility to Country can incorporate physical, spiritual and Cultural connections
  • Identify ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples value water Country and Place

People care for Australia's water environments

  • Identify ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples value water Country and Place

People engage in active citizenship by working together to care for places and each other

  • Participate in the school or local community by caring for places and others

People learn about the past by engaging with stories, images, objects and sites

Outcomes

  • describes interactions between Aboriginal Peoples and Country HS1-ACH-01

Content

Aboriginal Peoples have rich and diverse Cultures and Histories

  • Locate and discuss objects and sites that evidence Aboriginal Peoples as the oldest living continuous Cultures in the world

  • Identify and describe significant Aboriginal sites across NSW and relate them to Dreaming Stories

  • Identify ways in which Aboriginal Peoples share and celebrate their Cultures and Histories