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Aboriginal culture

We’ve learned from your feedback that you’d like guidance integrating Aboriginal contexts into the classroom. So we’ve developed practical tools, activities and professional development opportunities to help you teach with more confidence. Email to let us know how else we can support you.

NPWS Aboriginal rangers also deliver excursions and incursions to deepen students’ understanding of and respect for the world’s oldest continuous culture. See this list of cultural experiences and enquire now to make a booking.

Aboriginal cultural learning at Glenrock State Conservation Area, 2019. Photo: Adam Hollingworth: Hired Gun © DPIE

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School excursions (60)

A ranger illuminated by torchlight on a Muttonbirds by moonlight school excursion at Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. Photo: And the Trees Photography © DPIE

Muttonbirds by moonlight

Muttonbirds by moonlight is a Stage 6 (Years 11-12) school excursion at Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve, which covers geography as a KLA. Experience a guided walk across the island as evening falls, to observe the daily return of thousands of wedge-tail shearwaters (muttonbirds) to their nesting burrows, where hungry partners or chicks await.

Stage
Stage 6 (Years 11-12)
Learning area
Geography
When

By arrangement. Only available between August and April when the shearwaters are present on the island.

Where
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve in North Coast
Aboriginal Discovery rangers, Blue Waterholes campground, Kosciuszko National Park. Photo: Murray Vanderveer

Aboriginal identity

Aboriginal identity is a school excursion for Stage 3 (Years 5-6) History students in Kosciuszko National Park which focuses on Aboriginal Studies. Many icons associated with Australia come from the identity, culture and life of Aboriginal people - including boomerang, didgeridoo and bush tucker. 

Stage
Stage 3 (Years 5-6)
Learning area
History
When
Weekdays all year.
Where
Tumut area in Kosciuszko National Park in Snowy Mountains

School incursions (6)

National park ranger. Photo: Rob Cleary

School incursion: Learn about Gumbaynggirr life

Learn about Gumbaynggir life from the convenience of your classroom in this Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) history incursion. Our Aboriginal guide will share the history of the Gumbaynggir People and explore their culture and way of life.

Stage
Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten)
Learning area
History
When

Weekdays during school terms.

Where
North Coast
An Aboriginal NPWS educator leading an incursion at Coffs Harbour Christian Community School, 2019. Photo: Jay Black © NPWS

School incursion: Learn about Gumbaynggirr life

Learn about Gumbaynggirr life from the convenience of your classroom in this Stage 1 (Years 1-2) history incursion. Our Aboriginal guide will share the history of the Gumbaynggirr People and explore their culture and way of life.

Stage
Stage 1 (Years 1-2)
Learning area
History
When

Weekdays during school terms.

Where
North Coast
An Aboriginal NPWS educator leading an incursion at Coffs Harbour Christian Community School, 2019. Photo: Jay Black © NPWS

School incursion: Learn about Gumbaynggirr life

Gumbaynggirr life and culture is brought to your classroom in this Stage 2 (Years 3-4) history incursion. Aboriginal guides from Bongil Bongil National Park and Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve will visit your school.

Stage
Stage 2 (Years 3-4)
Learning area
History
When

Weekdays in school term.

Where
North Coast
NPWS Aboriginal guide speaks to a primary class. Photo: Mumbulla PS. © OEH

School incursion: Living Country, living culture

Learn about Aboriginal culture from the convenience of your classroom in this Stage 1 (Years 1-2) HSIE incursion. An Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.

Stage
Stage 1 (Years 1-2)
Learning area
HSIE
When

Monday to Friday, during school term.

Where
Far South Coast
NPWS Aboriginal guide paints a young student's face. Photo: Wolumla PS. © OEH

School incursion: Living Country, living culture

Learn about Aboriginal culture from the convenience of your classroom in this Stage 2 (Years 3-4) HSIE cross-curricular incursion. An Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.

Stage
Stage 2 (Years 3-4)
Learning area
HSIE
When

Monday to Friday, during school term.

Where
Far South Coast
An interactive display of Aboriginal tools and baskets. Photo: Deidre Martin © DPIE.

School incursion: Living Country, living culture

Learn about Aboriginal culture from the convenience of your classroom in this Stage 3 (Years 5-6) HSIE cross-curricular incursion. An Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.

Stage
Stage 3 (Years 5-6)
Learning area
HSIE
When

Monday to Friday, during school term.

Where
Far South Coast

Teacher resources (11)

Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

Rookery Roundabout

Rookery Roundabout has been designed as a teaching resource for primary students (Stage 1-3), in the key learning areas (KLAs) of Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) and Science and Technology. It can also be adapted for secondary students.

Stage
Stage 3 (Years 5-6)
Learning area
Science and Technology
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

Rookery Roundabout

Rookery Roundabout has been designed as a teaching resource for primary students (Stage 1-3), in the key learning areas (KLAs) of Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) and Science and Technology. It can also be adapted for secondary students.

Stage
Stage 2 (Years 3-4)
Learning area
HSIE
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

Rookery Roundabout

Rookery Roundabout has been designed as a teaching resource for primary students (Stage 1-3), in the key learning areas (KLAs) of Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) and Science and Technology. It can also be adapted for secondary students.

Stage
Stage 6 (Years 11-12)
Learning area
Biology
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

Rookery Roundabout

Rookery Roundabout has been designed as a teaching resource for primary students (Stage 1-3), in the key learning areas (KLAs) of Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) and Science and Technology. It can also be adapted for secondary students.

Stage
Stage 4 (Years 7-8)
Learning area
Science
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

Rookery Roundabout

Rookery Roundabout has been designed as a teaching resource for primary students (Stage 1-3), in the key learning areas (KLAs) of Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) and Science and Technology. It can also be adapted for secondary students.

Stage
Stage 5 (Years 9-10)
Learning area
Geography
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

Rookery Roundabout

Rookery Roundabout has been designed as a teaching resource for primary students (Stage 1-3), in the key learning areas (KLAs) of Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) and Science and Technology. It can also be adapted for secondary students.

Stage
Stage 2 (Years 3-4)
Learning area
Science and Technology
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

Rookery Roundabout

Rookery Roundabout has been designed as a teaching resource for primary students (Stage 1-3), in the key learning areas (KLAs) of Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) and Science and Technology. It can also be adapted for secondary students.

Stage
Stage 6 (Years 11-12)
Learning area
Geography
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

Rookery Roundabout

Rookery Roundabout has been designed as a teaching resource for primary students (Stage 1-3), in the key learning areas (KLAs) of Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) and Science and Technology. It can also be adapted for secondary students.

Stage
Stage 5 (Years 9-10)
Learning area
Science
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

Rookery Roundabout

Rookery Roundabout has been designed as a teaching resource for primary students (Stage 1-3), in the key learning areas (KLAs) of Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) and Science and Technology. It can also be adapted for secondary students.

Stage
Stage 4 (Years 7-8)
Learning area
Geography
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

Rookery Roundabout

Rookery Roundabout has been designed as a teaching resource for primary students (Stage 1-3), in the key learning areas (KLAs) of Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) and Science and Technology. It can also be adapted for secondary students.

Stage
Stage 3 (Years 5-6)
Learning area
HSIE