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This excursion aims for students to create meaningful connections to the past, present and future of GNP-IY. Students will learn about the the history of the park and reflect upon the human impact in this space. They will explore the unique flora and fauna that currently call the park home and contribute to the park’s future through conservation initiatives.

 

FORMAT OF THE DAY

10:00am – Welcome and Introduction while students eat recess.

 

Session A – Biodiversity snapshot: learning about the unique flora and fauna in GNP-IY. Students will be guided along the Loop Trail where they will explore complex stories of plants and animals that call the park home; such as birds, frogs, reptiles, mammals, and threatened species and ecological communities. Concepts such as food chains, food webs, classifications, and disturbance ecology will also be explored.
 

Session B – Healing the land: contributing to the restoration of GNP-IY. Students investigate the water quality at GNP-IY by identifying macro-invertebrates and recording the results as a Citizen Science activity. This session also explores how the park is being revitalised and the roles different groups play including the Friends of Glenthorne, Park rangers and National Parks SA.
 

12:15pm to 12:45 pm – Lunch

 

Session C – Creative expressions: using nature as inspiration to create artistic interpretations of GNP-IY. Students will be encouraged to experiment with watercolour and pencil to create their own representation of nature within the park. Various props will be used to demonstrate techniques.

 

1:30pm – Group reflection and wrap up of the day (also a good time to explore the nature playground and visitor hub before departing).

 

2:00pm – Depart GNP-IY.

 

Duration: 3.5 – 4 hours

 

Cost (per student): $18.50 [+GST] Member’s Price $17 [+GST]

 

Target Audience: Reception to Year 12

 

Conditions: Minimum spend of $600.

 

A $200 cancellation fee applies if your confirmed booking is cancelled without rescheduling.

 

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Title: Beyond the Classroom: Outdoor learning in Glenthorne National Park – Ityamaiitpinna Yarta

Date: Thursday, March 23rd

Location: Glenthorne National Park – IY, meet at Ranger Station (Majors Road) 

Time: 4pm to 5.30pm 

Cost: Free (capped at 30 participants)

Booking: Eventbrite Booking

 

 

Description: This practical session will offer ideas on how to engage students in a national park setting with minimal materials. It will explore risk assessment, the logistics of having students in a park setting, local and flora identification, and how to tailor experiences to teaching and learning outcomes. 

 

 

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Beyond the Classroom is all about supporting schools and educators to rediscover their connection with green and blue spaces in their local community.

 

This excursion allows students to learn in, with and through nature by exploring local flora and fauna unique to your space. Students walk, create and engage in a series of activities that serve as a springboard for future learning and connection with the space. Educators will finish sessions with the knowledge, confidence and resources needed to revisit the space and keep the connection going. This excursion can be held in any significant local nature space, including:

 

  • National Parks
  • Beaches
  • Wetlands and Rivers
  • Reservoirs

 

If you are interested to explore this excursion opportunity, please email our education team and allow us to prepare a program based on your needs.

 

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This exciting bespoke excursion is hosted in the stunning grounds of the Wittunga Botanic Gardens. The Mini-Beasts theme is weaved though all activities, with particular focus on native caterpillars & butterflies; spiders; moths; and macro invertebrates (water bugs).

 

During this experience, learners explore the grounds of the Wittunga Gardens in search of the mini-beasts that call it home. They will discover unseen worlds by identifying macro invertebrates from the central lake, and use their artistic expression to create mini-beast inspired artworks to take home.

 

Note: This excursion can also be hosted in other locations including Belair National Park and Glenthorne National Park – Ityamaiitpinna Yarta.

 

Duration: 90 minutes – 2 hours

 

Cost (per student): $16.50 [+GST] Member’s Price $15.00 [+GST]

 

Target Audience: Our Mini-Beast and Water Bug Excursion is perfect for years K-6. Groups of up to 100 (or five classes) can be accommodated in a bespoke experience.

 

Conditions: Minimum spend of $400

 

A $200 cancellation fee applies if your confirmed booking is cancelled without rescheduling.

 

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Small staff PD sessions perfect for early learning centres and educators working in early learning. Visit us at Wittunga House in Blackwood or we can come to you. Sessions typically run 60-90mins depending on your needs. Select from our menu of PD options:

 

  • “Embracing Outdoor Learning in the Early Years” – A practical workshop exploring sensory play, nature tables, and bookish play based on stories. This PD provides educators with ideas and resources they can use “the next day”. This session also briefly explores the perceived barriers to outdoor learning for educators, parents and the built environment.

 

  • “How Play Builds Brains” – A deep dive into brain development featuring a mix of principles and practical activities. Let our resident play therapist guide you through a session that explores children’s brains development (particuarly 0-6) and the types of developmentally appropriate play that builds brains.

 

  • “Play Space Affordance” – How natural assets and the built environment support play and outdoor learning. This session explores perceived barriers to outdoor learning and guides participants through an audit of your physical environment to identify new opportunities for outdoor learning and play.

 

Min-Max number of participants: 10-25

Cost: 60min session – $299; 90min session $399

*Additional costs may apply for sites outside metro area.

Location Requirements: Indoor and outdoor space

 

 

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Date: Wednesday, May 17th

 

Location: Henley Beach Surf Club

 

Time: 9am to 3pm. 

 

Description:  

Over the past few years nature play in education has become a key point of discussion with many sites, from early years to primary, embracing the concept at various levels. This full day workshop explores at what nature play is from a play, outdoor learning, and childhood development perspective. The workshop features a number of speakers and practical workshops that explore principles of nature play, brain development through play, risk, critical thinking and Aboriginal culture.  

 

Early bird tickets: $160 +Booking Fee (lunch and morning tea included)

 

Tickets after 17th April: $175 +Booking Fee (lunch and morning tea included)

 

Who is this for: Early Years and Primary School educators 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Nature play goes beyond play spaces – it addresses the needs of the whole child. It considers how we guide and foster student agency, connectedness, wellbeing and belonging. This full day workshop looks at nature play at a much deeper level that transcends beyond physical spaces and what it means to ‘belong’. It looks at how we view children as capable and competent, place-making, and how to set up successful programs such as beach and bush kindys, productive gardens, and connections to Country through art and language. These elements form an important part of belonging.  

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On the 23rd of October 2023, Nature Play SA is hosting a National Conference, Taking Risks for Wellbeing, at the National Wine Centre.   

  

Taking Risks for Wellbeing is a call to action. It asks educators, policymakers, health practitioners and services that support families and children to be bold in their approach toward nurturing and maintaining children’s wellbeing. Through provisions for risk-taking in play spaces, as well as in their approach to teaching and learning. Stepping outside the accepted norm to champion wellbeing as a priority.  

  

It means delving deep into what wellbeing looks like for the whole child. Facilitating action to change or improve school approaches to teaching, learning and play to foster a culture where wellbeing can thrive.  

  

The Conference will feature two well-known and prominent keynote speakers: Tim Gill (UK), renowned author, speaker, consultant and global advocate for children’s play and mobility; and Madhavi Nawana Parker (Aus), Director of Positive Minds Australia, who is one of Australia’s leading experts on wellbeing and resilience. 

 

 

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Our Mobile Cubby Building experience develops creativity, cooperation, and resilience. It allows students use natural, open-ended resources to problem solve, design and build imaginative cubby creations. Perfect for groups of up to 60 students per 90 minute session. cooperation and resilience are the keys to success and sustainable practices are embedded throughout

 

Save on the cost of buses and host a Mobile Cubby Building experience in a green space at your site. This incursion is also perfect for schools exploring the use of loose parts play during free play time.

 

Duration: 90 minutes per session

 

Cost (per student): $16.50 [+GST] Member’s Price $15 [+GST]

 

Target Audience: Reception to Year 6

 

Conditions: Minimum spend of $700.

 

A $200 cancellation fee applies if your confirmed booking is cancelled without rescheduling.

 

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Birdwatch: calm your mind and ignite your curiosity with learning to birdwatch or identify through their song.

 

Watching birds can be relaxing and rewarding as we observe these feathered creatures going about their day-to-day lives. When we get to know the birds around us it provides an opportunity to tune into daily and seasonal rhythms that often guide their behaviour and movements.

 

Observing birds is a powerful form of mindfulness. It allows us to be present, to feel connected to something greater than ourselves. It’s not about their names – but the way we feel when that connection finds us.

 

If unfamiliar with bird watching let go of any preconceived ideas. Find a place in nature to sit or slowly wander. Allow patience to find you, observe without expectation, and soon your senses will take over.

 

Check out these resources:

 

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Find a sit spot: tune into your surroundings by quietly sitting in nature.

 

Uninterrupted time in nature helps let go of the stresses that pull our hearts away from what matters most – family, friendship, dreams, and adventure. Finding a place to sit and ‘be’ can take practice. But eventually, your mind will find its rhythm, and nature will sing to you.

 

As you begin to practice spending time in a ‘sit spot,’ start with a minute or two. Eventually, you will know the right amount of time and can let your mind drift with nature.

 

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Plant veggies: nurture the earth and your soul by planting veggies and herbs in your garden or a pot.

 

 

There’s nothing quite like homegrown produce. The smell of freshly picked tomatoes, the crunch of newly podded peas and the anticipation of pulling your first carrot or beetroot from the soil. Whilst there is some work involved – gardening is a journey of trial and error, nurture, and nourishment.

 

Here are five ways to get you prepared and excited about gardening:

 

  1. Select the right veggie patch that suits your space (from pots to raised garden beds there are plenty of options)
  2. Make sure your patch is in a nice sunny position, sheltered from strong winds
  3. Prepare your soil with good quality compost and for extra nutrients add some aged horse or cow manure
  4. If just starting out, choose fast-growing reliable veggies that you like to eat (a combination of herbs, leafy greens, root-based veggies, and those that produce vegetables from a flower i.e. tomatoes and zucchinis)
  5. Water your veggies regularly
  6. Tend to your garden with joy and it will teach you many things.

 

One of South Australia’s most loved gardeners and presenters is Sophie Thompson (Sophie’s Patch) has a great book, blog and often hosts and presents at events.

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Stargaze: connect with the night sky by stargazing and finding constellations or listen to podcasts about the stars.

 

 

For thousands of years, the stars have inspired, guided, and fascinated humankind. They served as a form of navigation and Dreaming for Aboriginal people and have inspired artists, poets, and scientists.

 

The sight of a clear night sky in the outback is never forgotten. Shooting stars, the Milky Way, and constellations are a few things to get lost in.

Find a spot to gaze and learn about constellations, such as the Southern Cross and Orien’s belt, and see if you can place them.

 

For some more inspiration, check out:

 

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Weave: practice mindfulness by gathering leaves, flowers and grass with a friend to weave nature bracelets and necklaces.

 

Weaving is an accessible and meditative pastime and can take many forms, with differing techniques used to create functional and decorative items such as basketry, textiles and home décor, like wall hangings. Natural materials used in weaving can include wool, grasses, cotton and an abundance of other plant fibres, making this a tactile and creative way for children to connect with nature and express themselves through art.

 

Check out this DIY Nature Weaving Blog on the Nature Play SA blog.

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Create habitat for insects: contribute to conserving wildlife by creating habitat for native bees and other insects by building or sourcing an insect hotel.

 

 

There are many things we can do to provide habitat for wildlife such as planting native seedlings, having logs and rocks, a bird bath, having bare soil in some patches and making and installing bee hotels.

 

For more inspiration check out:

 

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Nature Play SA acknowledges Traditional owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and Elders past, present and emerging.