In Week 8, Term 3, UPC students had sat upon the banks of the Lake Parramatta Reserve and gazed out onto its pristine waters and stunning views. With 70 hectares of bushland and walking trails, students enjoyed a sunny Sydney day by water and nature with lots to see and explore, there was always an item of interest for everybody, where adventurous students could walk along the riverbank where others had relaxed on the shore, taking in nature! It was an amazing day out of the bustling Sydney CBD, reconnecting with nature!

Bronte Beach was the destination for UPC students to discover on the excursion day in Week 8, Term 2, 2023. Located in Sydney’s east, Bronte Beach is a small but popular recreational place for both local people and tourists. Students gathered at UPC for a briefing session before walking to Central station. They got on the train to Bondi Junction station, then caught the bus to Bronte beach. In this beautiful place, they walked the beach, enjoying the coastal view and feeling the sea breeze. A highlight of the day was the BBQ time when our students prepared the food, cooked and ate together. They shared happy time with others.

During Week 4, Term 3, UPC students stood upon the rocky cliffs of Watson Bay and stretched their eyes out to the horizon of the vast azure of the Pacific Ocean before them. Once a quaint fishing village, Watsons Bay was transformed into a seaside wonder, located at the tip of the South Head peninsula in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Students were able to hike to historic lighthouse and walk the stunning trails alongside the beach, all while learning about the enriching colonial and indigenous knowledge. A beautiful day out of the roar of the CBD, students look forward to returning!

On Thursday 23rd March 2023, UPC students took a visit to Centennial Park – the home of diverse both wild and domestic animals such as birds, rabbits and foxes. It has more than 15,000 tress, fragrant flower beds, expansive grassy spaces, ponds, etc. which appears to be a great place for Sydney citizens to relax away from the bustling town centre.

In Week 4, Term 1, 2023 ELICOS and Childcare students went on an excursion to Powerhouse Museum and White Rabbit Gallery. It was a challenging day for both teachers and students due to the changeable weather on the day. It rained in the early morning; however, it stopped just before the departure time. Plus, it rained a little bit again at 2pm. Luckily, our teachers and students were well prepared with umbrellas, hats or caps and on top of that they were all filled with motivation and curiosity to discover new places that made them enjoy the day to the fullest. The visit to Powerhouse museum was very impressive since students had a great opportunity to learn about science, space, technology, art, and experience some hand-on projects. The visit to White Rabbit Gallery was wonderful when students can see the world most significant collections of Chinese contemporary art.

On 27th February 2020, ELICOS and Childcare students gathered for an excursion to Cockatoo Island – one of the best attractions in Sydney. The students took a ferry ride from Barangaroo and enjoyed Sydney skyline along the way. Being known as a historically significant place, Cockatoo Island offers UPC students an opportunity to explore the Australian convict and maritime history as well as delighting in great view of the city. During the visit, students used audio tour kits to enhance their experience with each stop such as Convict Precinct (Convict Courtyard, Isolation Cells, Military Guardhouse, Convict Silos); Ship Design Precinct; Historic Residence Precinct; and Industrial Precinct. It was so much fun going in a group discovering the island on that day!