Bringing Back the Bush program
Our Bringing Back the Bush program in Western Sydney Parklands encourages kids to get their hands dirty.
Tuesdays
Stage 2 students*
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Lizard Log, Western Sydney Parklands
The program helps nearby school students develop a lifelong connection with nature and Western Sydney Parklands.
In 2021, we brought this free outdoor learning opportunity at Lizard Log to Stage 2 students who would not normally get to take part in an excursion or community program because of economic, social or geographical disadvantage. We covered both the program fee and transport costs to and from the parklands.
*We cater for a minimum of 150 students to a maximum of 240. If your group size is small, we may invite your stage 1 and/or 3 students to join us, or combine you with another school. If your stage is larger than 240 students, we may provide an added excursion date.
Why we are Bringing Back the Bush
Our goals are simple. Through the Bringing Back the Bush program, we want to:
- connect the community to this special place and the traditional custodians of this area
- regenerate the Cumberland Plain Woodland, which is listed as ‘critically endangered’ by the Australian Government and once covered 30% of Sydney.
What kids do during the program
Students engage in cross-curricular activities with Indigenous cultural perspectives. The program encompasses science, geography, sustainability, and tree-planting to restore habitat for native animals of the area.
While helping us plant native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers in the parklands, students also get a fun, hands-on lesson in an outdoor classroom.
Students:
learn the art of mapping
- explore the different habitats provided by the Cumberland Plain Woodland, and the animals that call them home
- take part in an Aboriginal cultural presentation with Dharug elders.
Stage 2 Outcomes:
Geography
GE2-1: Students examine features and characteristics of places and environments
GE2-2: Students describe the ways people, places and environments interact.
Science
ST2-4LW-S: Students compare features and characteristics of living and non-living things.
Mathematics
MA2-1WM: Students use appropriate terms to describe and symbols to represent mathematical ideas
MA2-17MG: Students use simple maps and grids to represent position and follow routes, including using compass directions.
Aboriginal languages
2MBC1: Students recognise the link between culture and a sense of identity
2.MBC.2: Students recognise connections between Aboriginal culture, language, land, and a sense of identity.
What happens after the program
Back at school, students can draw a picture of their time at Lizard Log and write about their experience. Our Lizard Log Kids Trail Map features images that past students drew.
We encourage students to return to Lizard Log with their families to visit their tree-planting site, have a picnic, and play in the Lizard Log playground. By bringing back the bush, we can help native animals, such as the eastern grey kangaroo and the dwarf tree frog, return to the area.
Why schools love Bringing Back the Bush
We have had amazing feedback from our parents and community members, saying their children came home from the excursion and wouldn't stop talking about how much fun they had. They are excited to visit the park in the future and see their trees/plants grow. The Aboriginal cultural activities were such an eye-opener for our students.
Lauryn Fitton, Assistant Principal, Governor King Phillip Public School
Are you a teacher?
Register your interest by emailing [email protected].
Bringing Back the Bush Terms and Conditions
Bringing Back the Bush is brought to you by Western Sydney Parklands, part of Greater Sydney Parklands. It is free of charge to selected schools. Participating schools should note the following terms and conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Telfords will provide buses for each student. We cannot provide transport for students with added transport needs greater than one wheelchair per school.
Greater Sydney Parklands will provide Indigenous educators to share culture and educators to teach science, geography and tree-planting activities.
Each school may book one excursion date for their whole cohort of stage 2 students.
Each session caters for a minimum of 150 students and a maximum of 240, including accompanying teachers.
If you are a small school, we may invite your stage 1 and/ or stage 3 students to join you; or combine your excursion day with another school.
If your stage 2 group is large, we may be able to provide an excursion date for each stage 2 year separately.
- a hat for sun protection
- enclosed footwear
- raincoat
- warm jumper
- lunch
- recess
- water.
We are an all-weather program, except in extreme weather circumstances (such as lightning storms). Students should bring wet weather gear.
If rain greater than 10 mm is predicted and of concern, please discuss a cancellation with the program coordinator more than 48 hours before your excursion starts. We will try to reschedule your excursion, but we cannot guarantee this.
Excursions run from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. There will be 7 different 40-minute activities throughout the day with a lunch break, free play in the playground and time for morning tea.
Students must be ready to be picked up at 9 am at the street address you give when you register. We will return students to school by 2:45 pm.
Notify us at the earliest opportunity so we can offer the excursion to others. We cannot accept any cancellations less than 48 hours before the excursion starts.
Email us at [email protected]. We will contact you after we have received your email to confirm your booking.