College Community

On a sunny day in Week 7, Year 10 Geography students set off for their annual fieldwork excursion to beautiful Norah Head, exploring the area’s natural and human environments through hands-on investigation. Students rotated through four activities.

The first activity was the Norah Head Nature Trail walk, a scenic track leading to Rosetti Lookout. Students conducted weather observations, recording temperature, humidity, and wind data, and comparing these to forecasts for the day. They also gained insight into the area’s early European settlement, including Norah Head’s maritime history, and the lighthouse in 1903. On the return walk, students participated in a plant identification activity, learning about both native and introduced flora.

The next session, Caring for and Connection to Country, was led by Sharon Bailey, who guided students in reflection and discussion about Aboriginal People’s land management. The groups then participated in the practice of Dadirri – a deep listening and quiet reflection – to strengthen their understanding of Aboriginal perspectives on land stewardship.

The third activity involved students sitting by the beach, observing human interactions with the environment and discussing the impacts these interactions may have. They completed an Ecological Observation Chart and annotated a Land Use Map to study how human activities shape the coastal landscape.

The final activity took place at the end of Cabbage Tree Bay Beach, where students examined coastal landforms and management strategies. They identified processes such as erosion, deposition, and wave action, while noting how built structures – like rock walls, vegetation and fencing – help protect the coastline. Students then completed a field sketching task, capturing both the natural beauty and the human efforts to manage and sustain this dynamic coastal environment.

It was a productive and enjoyable day of fieldwork, deepening students’ geographical skills and their appreciation of the land and coastline they call home.