Coastal Management Field Work Excursion

St Agnes Rooty Hill

Part of the mandatory curriculum requirements for Stage 5 Geography, involves conducting fieldwork. Over the past years St Agnes has opted to study Coastal Management and this year was no exception.

Year 10 students visited the Long Reef Peninsular to view and sketch the natural and human features along our coast. They observed the processes of beach replenishment after the massive storms in June this year. These destructive waves wreaked havoc with businesses and residences alike. Our students observed the calm after the storm. The sand had been replaced on the beach but there was still evidence of the impact of the storm. The foredunes had eroded away leaving only a few grasses to bind the sand. Damaged fences had been removed and the lower floor of the Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club was boarded up, the dune in front of the club was fenced and reinforced with huge boulders.

We were blessed with a glorious day albeit, a cold morning. When we arrived at the beach the sun blessed us with her presence. The Year 10 students asked lots of questions eager to learn about the coast. We walked along the beach in front of the dunes and along the seawall in the recreational area and visited the rock platform and cliffs.

All of the students were very well behaved and delighted the locals with their politeness and manners. They were proud ambassadors of St Agnes Catholic High School. The students were complimented several times throughout the day and one resident felt compelled to telephone the school (click this link to listen to the recording) to compliment our students on their exceptional behaviour.

Some students had the pleasure of meeting Ellia Green while on this field trip. Miss Green is a gold medal Olympian. She was part of the Australian Women’s Rugby Seven’s team who won their gold medal at the recent Rio Olympic games. Miss Green agreed to have her picture to the delight of students, Manoa Ratubalavu, Ah-Lam Ng-Lam, John Piliae and Jeremiah Tukala.