Year 8 Geography Examine Local Waterways

Catherine McAuley Westmead students visit the wetlands
Year 8 Geography students recently visited the wetlands area behind the school as they study the health of our local waterways and the water cycle.

Year 8 Geography students of Mrs Nicolson recently visited the wetlands area behind the school as they study the health of our local waterways and the water cycle.

Year 8 students Raylene M. and Madhumalar M. have written about their latest work:

In Year 8 Geography, students have recently been looking at how water affects the world. Our study of the water cycle, and the health of our local waterways, have enhanced our understanding of the world's water, and why this is a precious resource.

We have also been studying the cultural significance of local waterways to Indigenous people. We began by discussing why the NRL team, the 'Parramatta Eels' was named this. From there, we looked at the history of the Burramattagal people, and how this means ‘where the eels lay'. We learned how local waterways have been at the centre of Indigenous beliefs and how our local rivers were used for hunting and gathering areas.

Catherine McAuley Students on an excursion to the wetlands.

Indigenous artwork that reflects the cultural significance of water.

In one lesson, we explored Indigenous artworks that reflect the cultural significance of water, read these stories, and coloured in these artworks. We also explored how the quality of our local waterways have changed over time, and the importance of looking after our waterways.

Last week, we also had a special visit to our school's wetlands area to investigate the living organisms, make a judgement on the waterway health, and observe the human and natural features of this area.

Raylene M. and Madhumalar M.
Year 8 Geography Students