Aboriginal Connections to Country
Engage your senses in nature! Learn about Australian wildlife and Aboriginal connections to the land through play-based learning and discovery.
Term 4 program bookings will be self-guided only (no workshops). Teachers can still access the Teaching Guide resource from this page to support student learning.
Program description
In Aboriginal Connections to Country, students will ignite their curiosity and use their senses to explore, play and learn about the natural world. They will discover what makes this land unique, learn about Aboriginal culture and local connections to Country. Through listening to Dreaming stories and participating in guided discussions and exploration, students will learn why Healesville Sanctuary is significant to the Wurundjeri people and how Australian animals, plants and people are all connected.
Students will learn:
- Aboriginal culture, traditions and their connection to Country
- How Healesville Sanctuary is a special place for the Wurundjeri people
- Australian animals, their features and their basic needs
- Interconnections between the land, plants and animals
Program sequence
Connect
Use the activities in the Teaching Guide and Student Workbook (below) to spark students’ curiosity before their Healesville Sanctuary visit.
Connect and Understand
Students will exercise their enquiring minds through interacting with artefacts, listening to Dreaming stories, exploring Woiworrung language and learning about Aboriginal connections to plants and wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary.
Your Sanctuary visit will include: A Welcome (for arrivals between 9:50am-10:10am), a Healesville Sanctuary Teacher workshop (40 minutes), Spirits of the Sky presentation and keeper talks. Check out your Teaching Guide and Student Workbook for other ideas of what to do at Healesville Sanctuary.
Understand
Use activities in the Teaching Guide and Student Workbook to deepen students’ learning back at school.
Act
Use the Teaching Guide to enable students to master their knowledge and skills in real-world contexts.
Program resources
Learning outcomes
Victorian Curriculum F-2
Identify how people are connected to different places (VCGGC059)
- Through explicit teaching and play-based learning, students will discover how the Wurundjeri people connected to the land surrounding Healesville Sanctuary.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Country/Place on which the school is located and why Country/Place is important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the ways in which they maintain special connections to particular Country/Place (VCGGK066)
- Students will discover how Aboriginal ways of living help to build their connection to Country.
Living things have a variety of external features and live in different places where their basic needs, including food, water and shelter, are met (VCSSU042)
- Students will explore and learn about the habitats of Australian animals
Plan your excursion
Aboriginal Connection to Country an outdoor all-weather program; the students will need appropriate clothing for weather conditions. This could include a raincoat, hat and sun protection.
School groups will enter Healesville Sanctuary via the Main Entrance. Organising teachers please check in with our Admissions team upon arrival. More information.
All onsite excursion bookings are subject to coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions and as such are subject to change in line with the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s advice. We will be in contact with all teachers prior to their booked date if we need to clarify any new requirements.
Book your education experience
Fill out an online form to request a booking for your zoo education experience
Request booking nowYou will need to know the following to book your zoo excursion or online workshop:
- Education program of your choice (if applicable)
- Preferred date
- School name and address
- Contact details of organising teacher
- Number of students/classes and their year level