Healthy Body, Healthy Mind PDHPE class participated in an Amazing Race style excursion in Sydney CBD, Thursday 20th Oct- ‘How well do you know your backyard adventure’
18 Students were split into teams and handed envelopes with protocols, map and clues. Together they mapped out their action plans. Students were given a set of clues to find various locations and landmarks around Sydney CBD. Each clue was worth a number of points. The group to get the most points with photo evidence wins.
Groups checked in every 30mins by uploading photos to google classroom. Photos had to include every student within the group. Students were encouraged to take creative photos as these will be used for their final assessment, board game design.
As well as photo evidence, students had to track their steps throughout the day and share their total steps as part of the task. The average amount of steps taken was 20,000!
In total there were 72 clues/locations with 16 of these mandatory. Some of the key locations were, Circular Quay, Chinatown, State Theatre, Hyde Park, Barangaroo, Harbour Bridge, Myer Wonderland Giftorium, QVB, Chinese Garden and many more.
Over the course of the day students were able to use various modes of transport to travel through the CBD, we had some students use e-scooters and access ferry and light rail services.
The Sydney CBD community are fantastic and supportive of our students participating in this adventure. We had police officers jump into photos, retail assistants willingly re-arrange their stores to assist with creative photos, commuters interviewed by students and many people wanting to know more about the excursion.
It is rare to find a school excursion like this. Students are given complete independence throughout the day; they are on this mission without staff walking every step alongside them. Hence the implementation of buddy systems and 30min check ins. Staff have each students contact number and throughout the day are able to check in and meet students at certain locations. Preparation for this excursion began right at the beginning of the course to ensure students and staff were comfortable enough to venture out.
For most of the students this is the first time they have been to Sydney CBD or visited some of the listed locations. It’s an incredibly fun and different day. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind school related activity to generate this kind of enthusiasm.
This is an adventure that both students and staff love participating in, and we already can’t wait for the next one!