Goldfields – A complete tour

This tour focuses on the impact of gold as a significant development in Australia and on the colony of Bathurst. Students are able to complete various source investigations to gain a complete understanding of life in colonial Australia and on the goldfields. Students will use original gold machinery, watch the blacksmith at work and pan for gold while completing in depth source investigations.

Years

4, 5 & 6

Early History of Bathurst

This tour investigates the early history of Bathurst from the naming of the town, convict settlements, population changes and the first commercial canneries in Australia. Students will examine in detail the growth patterns and development of Bathurst then conclude with a narrative study of criminals in the early Bathurst Gaol. This section can be completed prior to the excursion to the Goldfield or integrated.

Years 5 & 6

Historic River Park

Students will visit the site of the Flag Staff, location of the first settlement in Bathurst, Wiradjuri site of conflict and the founding personalities of colonial Bathurst. Each site gives students the opportunity to see the major historic sites of Bathurst and its role in shaping Australia.

Year 5

Bathurst Courthouse

Investigation into the history of law and order in Australia and Bathurst. The Courthouse is an opportunity for students to explore the architectural significance of a key landmark and its connection to the success of shaping Australia. Students will visit the grounds of the courthouse and be introduced its history and contribution to Australian law and order.

Year 5 & 6

Race Around Machettie Park

A fun explorative task where students are given a time limit to collect information from historically significant landmarks in Bathurst’s most famous park. At the conclusion of the task students can play a game of chess on the park chess boards set in the park since the early 1900’s.

Years

4, 5 & 6

Bathurst Historical Society

Students will be required to complete an investigative task to locate and identify relevant sources to build a historical overview of life in Bathurst from its foundation in the 1800’s through to the 1900’s. Students brush shoulders with convicts, early medicine, meteorological technology and bushrangers.

Years

4, 5 & 6

Bushrangers, Ben Hall and Bathurst

This tour starts at the King’s Parade and proceeds to trace the steps of Ben Hall and the Ribbon Gang. Student will investigate how these significant individuals contributed to the development of Australia. Students will see Ribbon Gang Lane and explore the possible locations of the gallows that hung the Ribbon Gang.

Year 5

Bathurst in War and Peace

Students will be taken on a bus tour to view key historical landmarks including a World War Two training camp, migrant camp and memorialisation to those who died during the war. Students will collate their material to develop their own army camp and test its functionality. Students will be able to see the intricate relationship between historical Bathurst and progression into the present day.

Year 7+

   

Abercrombie Caves

Students will be taken by bus from Bathurst to Trunkey Creek following the footsteps on the Ribbon Gang and Ben Hall. Students will view the sites of major shoots outs between troopers and the bushrangers, convict settlements, homesteads built in the 1800’s and convict holding houses. Students will complete investigative tasks relating to flora and fauna in the Abercrombie Conservation Reserve as they descent down Caves Road to Abercrombie Caves. Students will be guided through the largest natural bridge of limestone in the southern hemisphere to investigate and analyse features of a cave system. Additional activities including panning in the Grove River for precious stones including opals, gold and sapphire. National Parks and Wildlife Guides will help students examine the impact of natural and human hazards including fire, flood, pollution and vandalism. This excursion is cross curricular covering science, geography, history and maths.

Year 5 +

Bathurst Cemetery

Bathurst Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Australia. Many of the town’s influential personalities that helped to establish Australia as a nation are buried in this cemetery. Students will be guided through to discover the reason why Ben Chifley and his wife are not buried together, the reasons why infant mortality was so high and examine the difficulties people faced in colonial Bathurst without access to modern medicine.

Year 5 & 6

Integration of Social Media

Students will be required to use a range of communication forms and digital technologies to complete a challenging social media task. Students will be required to use the information they collected from all the sites around Bathurst to illustrate their historical knowledge, understanding and historical skills. This task can be completed on site in our multimedia lab or back at school.

Year 5 & 6

Primary Geography Skills Workshop

A hands on approach to teaching key geographic skills from the basic primary years through to middle school. This excursion will allow students to collect data, conduct relevant fieldwork to answer geographical questions, engage with ITC and create a final report. Students will engage in challenging geographic activities that require problem solving skills and team work. All equipment and resources are provided for students including a pre-excursion package, excursion booklet and post-excursion tasks. Students will visit local sites to conduct fieldwork and complete a geographical enquiry in a multimedia lab.

All

Primary Years

Secondary Geography Skills Workshop

A skills based workshop where all key geographical skills are covered. Secondary students will have the opportunity to engage with geographic challenges in the field including mapping, collecting data and using forms of digital technology to gather information. Students will be required to collect, select, record and organise relevant data and geographical information and using ethical protocols from a range of sources from various locations. Students will use GIS technology to analyse geographical data and predictions. All equipment and resources are provided for students including a pre-excursion package, excursion booklet and post-excursion tasks. Students will visit local sites to conduct fieldwork and complete a geographical enquiry in a multimedia lab.

Year 7-10

Year 11-12 Geography Skills Workshop

A skills based workshop designed for the Preliminary Course and HSC Course. The skills based enquiry will included mapping, data collection, analysis, interpretation of primary and secondary sources, use of multimedia, GIS technologies, environmental management, spatial distribution and reporting. The key competencies of collecting, analysing and organising information and communicating ideas and information reflect core processes of geographical inquiry and are explicit in the objectives and outcomes in this workshop. All equipment and resources are provided for students including a pre-excursion package, excursion booklet and post-excursion tasks. Students will visit local sites to conduct fieldwork and complete a geographical enquiry in a multimedia lab.

Year

11 & 12

Custom Excursions

We have an Education Manager available to liaise directly with schools to create a customised excursion plan to meet the demands of your school. The Education Manager will be able to create worksheets and tasks for students to complete during their stay and organise visitation to major landmarks or industries to create a complete excursion experience.

ANY