Secondary programs

Sydney Learning Adventures' (SLA) secondary school excursions offer interactive educational programs in unique environments including exclusive heritage sites.

Students will be engaged by a highly-skilled and energetic team taking advantage of the unique precincts of The Rocks and Darling Harbour, historical resources, presentations and hands-on learning to create a contemporary, interactive learning forum.

The excursions offer teachers an ideal resource to complement the key learning areas of geography, history, ESL, Aboriginal studies, religion and ancient history.

Each excursion is complemented by a resource pack that offers pre- and post-excursion ideas, background information and worksheets.

Aboriginal Studies, History, Geography
Bangabaoui: Aboriginal cultural harbour cruise - Secondary
For Years: 7-10
Location: Sydney Harbour (departs Circular Quay)
Bangabaoui is a partnership between Sydney Learning Adventures and The Tribal Warrior Association.
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History
Battle for The Rocks: identity, heritage and conservation
For Years: 9-10
Location: The Rocks
The Battle for The Rocks program highlights the combined struggles of The Rocks' residents and unions to preserve significant historical sites within the precinct.
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Ancient History
Can you dig it?: The methodology of archaeology
For Years: 11-12
Location: The Rocks
A local archaeological experience, the program includes a multi-media presentation, a hands-on analysis of genuine artefacts and a visit to a significant dig site.
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History
Cesspits and old rubbish
For Years: 7-10
Location: The Big Dig Education Centre
Curriculum links: Years 7-10 History. Students explore 'the science of rubbish' by examining artefacts recovered from wells, cisterns, cellars and backyards.
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History
Digging up Sydney
For Years: 7-10
Location: The Rocks
The Digging Up Sydney program focuses on the archaeological discoveries made in The Rocks and the interpretation of such evidence to construct a picture of pre-contact and colonial life.
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English as a Second Language
Finding your feet in Sydney
For Years: 3-6, 7-12 and tertiary
Location: The Rocks
An ideal introduction to the city, this tour incorporates the history of Sydney with practical elements including a guide to Aussie slang, games and food. Students also find out about public transport, events and things to do in the city. A free orientation pack is issued at the end of the tour to help students ‘find their feet’.
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Ancient history and stage 5 elective history
Groundwork:Archaeology at The Big Dig
For Years: 11
Location: The Big Dig Education Centre
Curriculum links: Year 11 ancient history and stage 5 elective history. Students will use written and archaeological sources to undertake an investigation into the lives of some of the people who lived and worked in The Rocks in the 1800s.
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Geography and History
People and places: Pyrmont through time
For Years: 9-10
Location: Pyrmont
The people and places program highlights the viewpoints and recollections of the local community to the industrialisation, de-industrialisation and subsequent urban renewal of the area.
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Geography and History
Red and Gold: Making a multicultural Australia
For Years: 7-10
Location: Haymarket and Chinese Garden of Friendship
On this excursion take a journey to Sydney's Chinatown at Haymarket and explore the Chinese Garden of Friendship.
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Religion and History
The Battler's Saint: Mary MacKillop in The Rocks
For Years: 7-9
Location: The Rocks
Mary MacKillop's story is integral to the development of Australian society in the late 19th century, particularly in the areas of social justice and education.
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History, Aboriginal Studies
The Rocks Discovery Museum tour - stage 4
For Years: 7-8
Location: The Rocks
The Rocks Discovery Museum tour (stage 4) includes a visit to the museum and a tour of The Rocks shoreline. Students will utilise, and evaluate, a large variety of source material to develop analytical tools for studying history. The tour focuses on the changing nature of communities, in particular the impact of early contact on Aboriginal people. This excursion gives an insight how archaeologys primary source material can enhance written history.
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History and Aboriginal Studies
The Rocks Dreaming - Secondary
For Years: 7-12
Location: The Rocks
Discover the natural world of Sydney's billion-year-old harbour, marine environment, sandstone strata, waterways, flora and fauna.
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