Welcome back to Term 3. We hope all students and families had a restful break. This term, the HSIE faculty is facilitating two Geography excursions that will support key learning outcomes in Years 7 and 10 through hands-on fieldwork experiences.

 Year 10 Geography – Redhead Beach Coastal Management (Week 7)

As part of the Environmental Change and Management unit, Year 10 students will visit Redhead Beach in Week 7 to investigate a range of coastal issues and management strategies. The fieldwork will focus on topics such as coastal erosion, dune protection, land use, and the impact of climate change.

Students will engage in presentations and activities run by HSIE staff and local council representatives. The excursion will provide students with fieldwork data and case study content to support their upcoming assessment task.

Year 7 Geography – Richley Reserve: Water in the World

Year 7 students will take part in an excursion to Richley Reserve as part of their Water in the World unit. The day will focus on sustainability and water management.

Supported by Newcastle Council, Local Land Services, Hunter Water, and a National Parks Indigenous Discovery Ranger, students will rotate through a series of practical activities. These include water quality testing, aquatic invertebrate surveys, catchment management demonstrations, and waste education.

Assessment and Classroom Application

Both excursions are directly linked to assessment tasks and class-based learning. Students will be expected to apply their fieldwork observations, data collection, and new understandings to complete structured geographical responses and analysis tasks upon return to class.

Assessment notifications, task descriptions, and instructional videos to support student understanding will be uploaded to COMPASS Learning Tasks. These materials aim to clarify task requirements, outline success criteria, and provide guidance on how to approach the work effectively.

If students require additional assistance with any aspect of the course or task preparation, they are encouraged to reach out to their classroom teacher. Support can be provided during class, through COMPASS messages, or by arranging a time for extra help.

We look forward to a productive term of meaningful learning both in and outside the classroom.

Michael Flanagan | Leader of Learning - HSIE