1.3 Teaching sustainability through geography

Dear Parents/Carers

The Australian Curriculum: Geography requires Year 4 students to learn about the environment, the use and impact of natural resources and how to achieve sustainable practices. Using this as a guide, students will begin a geography unit incorporating sustainability, focussing on the local area of Macquarie Harbour and the recent controversy that has arisen from the effects fish farming has on the area. Students will work toward answering the key inquiry question is the use and management of these natural resources, and waste emitted, sustainable for the environment? Through this inquiry process, students will further develop key skills, such as questioning, researching, evaluating and reflecting, and communicating.


The subject of geography allows a seamless integration of one of the curriculums priorities: sustainability. This practice is identified as being of extreme importance to the future of the environment, exploring ways to use the planets resources in a responsible way. Teaching through the concepts of environment and interconnection allows students to develop knowledge, understanding and skills that are essential to citizens of the 21st century, to manage some of the critical issues facing Earth. By learning about sustainability at a local level, students will have a deeper connection to the places and issues being focussed on. It is hoped this will lead to stronger motivation and more engaged learning.



 Students will begin by viewing the recent Four Corners episode ‘Big Fish’, which focuses on the damages claimed to being created by the fish farming practices in the area. 

Huon Aquaculture's fish pens

                        *see episode here*

 Students will then develop their own inquiry questions, which will guide their learning further. Following this, the class will go on an excursion aboard Captain Bill, Huon Aquaculture’s main harvesting vessel operating in Macquarie Harbour. On board, students will host a Q&A with the Environment Officer and Harvest Manager gaining understanding and insight into the environment practices the company employs. Students will then be given the opportunity to take part in using the surveillance and monitoring digital technologies, as well as witness the testing that the company completes each day to assess and maintain the aquatic environment surrounding the cages. At the end of the unit, students will present their information in an 'emaze' presentation, helping to further develop and demonstrate their communication skills.

The boat on which the students will travel and 'investigate' the issues

As we begin, I ask that you please engage with your child about the content. Discussions about sustainability of the environment and how this can be impacted upon by human developments coming from you will help make the notion more relatable. A great starting point might be an issue that has changed since you yourself were a child, and how it has impacted the environment. Working together, we can build your child’s interest and understanding of this crucial area of learning, for now and in the future.