In the Classroom

Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre 

Exploring Aboriginal Culture at Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre

On the 5th of August, students from Niangala, Yarrowitch, and Woolbrook Public Schools travelled to Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre for a day immersed in learning about Aboriginal language and culture. The children arrived on the Niangala Public School bus, excited for the hands-on experiences ahead.

The adventure began with students working in groups to build a fire using leaves, sticks, and teamwork. This fire was used to cook potatoes for lunch—a delicious reward for their combined efforts!

A highlight of the day was visiting a scar tree, an important site in Indigenous culture. Students learned its history, sketched the tree with charcoal, and discovered that such trees may have been used as baby carriers lined with possum skin.

After checking to see if their potatoes were ready, they participated in map reading activities, learning about magnetic north and expanding their navigation skills. The next challenge was to construct ‘pinkie shelters’ from grass, bark, sticks, and leaves. Students tested their shelters to see if the inside stayed dry when water was poured over them—a fun and practical lesson in bushcraft!

Towards the end of the day, students met a python named Sophie, adding excitement to their outdoor adventure. Finally, everyone travelled back to Niangala and was picked up by their parents, eager to share stories of an amazing day connecting with culture and nature.

Student Recounts

Yesterday on the 5th of August Niangala, Yarrowitch and Woolbrook public schools all went to Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre . We got there on the Niangala public school bus.

First we made groups of three and we needed bark, leaves and sticks. We worked as a team to build a fire.

Next, we went to the scar tree which we sketched a picture of it using charcoal. It had stretch marks. It could also be a baby carrier laid with possum skin. After that we cooked potatoes and we cooked eight. Then we did map reading of magnetic north and finally we made a pinkie shelter using barks, grass, sticks and leaves. We then headed back to Niangala Public School.

Holly Partridge

Yesterday, Niangala, Yarrowitch and Woolbrook Public Schools travelled to Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre to learn about Aboriginal language and their culture.

First we made a fire with leaves, sticks and teamwork. We then put the potatoes in the fire to cook so we could have them for lunch. Next we went to a special tree you are not allowed to touch it is called a scar tree. Which after that we checked the potatoes to see if they were cooked and ready to eat.

Then we made our pinkie shelters using grass, bark and stick, to see if they were dry inside when we poured water on them.

Finally, I saw a snake and its name was Sophie who was a Python And then we travelled back to Niangala and got picked up by our parents.

Joseph Ham

Yesterday, Niangala, Yarrowitch and Woolbrook public schools went to Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre to learn about Aboriginal language and their culture. We travelled there on our excursion bus driven by Mrs Grayling.

Harry and I got up very early to catch the bus at school before travelling to Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre.

When we arrived, we went to the meeting place to explore and look around the centre before collecting sticks to make a fire after that we all went to see Sophie the snake who was a python and her friend Frill the frilled neck lizard. We got to feed them some bugs.

We then checked our fire and cooked our lunch which included potatoes. I ate my own lunch.

Finally, we saw all the Bush animals and made little wood huts out of sticks, grass, leaves, and bark then we got back on the bus and returned home.

Elsie Balmain

We woke up early to go to Thalgarrah. We drove to school and hopped in the bus then we drove through Walcha, Uralla and Armidale to get there. 1st we were outside when we did the poisonous peanut butter challenge. We had to use mat to cross the finish line. Next, we did the Dragon's egg challenge outside to cross the finish line. After that we had run around the Bush with a compass and a map to find little orange banners whoever found the most got the best map reading. Then we did the cooking challenge we had to cook sausages on the fire. 

Finally, we got to hold a snake. The snake's name was yarama. I was a brave one and stepped up when everybody else stepped back to hold it by myself. Then we travelled home and got picked up by our parents from school and told them about what an amazing day we had. 

Lindsay Ham

Book Week 2026

Book Week is coming up soon! We have a fantastic week of activities planned to celebrate our love of books and reading. Here’s a quick reminder of what students can look forward to and how you can help:

Monday: Bring in a favourite illustration or picture from a book (keep it a secret!).

Tuesday: Bring your favourite book to school and be ready to share 2–3 reasons why it’s your favourite.

Wednesday: Guess the Author Quiz.

Thursday: Dress as your favourite book character.

Friday: Bring a prop or object from a book—but keep it a mystery! The class will try to guess which book it’s from as students give clues, before revealing the answer.

How you can help:

• Chat with your child about their favourite books and characters.
• Help them prepare items for each day (illustrations/pictures, books, costumes, props).
• Encourage your child to think about clues for Friday’s mystery prop.

We’re looking forward to a wonderful week celebrating stories. If you have any questions, please get in touch.  Thank you for your support!

2D Shape creations 

Last week students werre tasked with making flowers out of two dimensional shapes. Below are the end results 

Kids Teach Kids lessons

Mr Lindsay - Kick Tennis

Mr Lindsay taught the students how to play Kick Tennis. He started with explaining the rules of the game and asked if anyone had any questions before heading outside. He then set up the area and the students played the game with an emphaisis on accuarate kicking and catching. Upon reflection, the lesson was lots of fun and Lindsay explained the rules clearly and kept everyone engaged and involved in the lesson. Thank you Lindsay for the fun lesson and for sharing you passion for footy with us all.

Miss Matilda - Knitting

Miss Matilda was well prepared for her lesson on teaching the kids how to knit. She had organised for all the students to have a pair of knitting needles and a small sample cast on ready to learn the skill of knitting. She had also recruited some 'assisters' to be available to assist the other students when required! Her introduction discussed the safety aspect of the knitting needles and then she expertly modelled the steps of knitting. It was a brave lesson to take on with plenty of challenge and some frustration! Thank you Matilda for sharing your skill set of knitting with us.

Thank you to Mrs Tuckwell

A big thank you to Mrs Tuckwell whom we have been very fortunate to have helping out in the classroom over the past term as she works through her SLSO training. The staff have been very grateful for the extra assistance and the students have enjoyed having Mrs Tuckwell in the classroom to assist them with their work and wellbeing. Your thoughtfulness and initiative have been valued and appreciated. We wish you all the best with your studies.