On 21 June, half of Year 8 embarked on an excursion to the Sydney Olympic Park to research and comprehend the usage and sustainability of water. To begin the trip, we learnt about the importance of WSUD, which is an abbreviation for water sensitive urban design. WSUD is an urban engineering design that was formulated to help slow down the process of the catchment of wastewater. WSUD allows a reduced volume of stormwater to enter waterways, which improves Sydney Olympic Park and helps reduce the water by adding drains, permeable paving and tree and drain grates in specific locations. 

Another opportunity was to monitor a ponds’ water quality by conducting experiments that tested the pH, turbidity, temperature, salinity and the amount of pollution present in the lake. We also learnt about, and produced, field sketches of the water and the environment around it. We learnt about the local Aboriginal tribe, the Wann clan having six seasons in their calendar which was perfected over thousands of years based on star alignments, animals and general weather patterns. For example, Burrugin is during June and July where the weather will be cold and frosty, the Echidnas will be seeking mates, the Burringoa will be flowering, and harvesting shellfish were deemed prohibited. 

Throughout the excursion, we also learnt about the history of Sydney Olympic Park and their redemption story. A building neighbouring the park was once known as the State Abattoir. The Homebush abattoir was the primary supplier of meat for domestic and overseas markets for many years before the Olympics. The structure contributed to damaging waste and carbon emissions, and their waste was disposed into the Parramatta River and contributed to regional pollution. We learnt how the government cleaned up pollution and planted several trees. Later, to sustain the natural environment, the class also observed how the Sydney Olympic Park sustains water by using recycled water to flush the toilets, treat gardens and use it for water aesthetics.

We’d like to thank the HSIE teachers - especially Ms Hills for organising this excursion and providing Year 8 this opportunity!

By Abigail Amurao, Cynthia Basco, Maricel Fennessey and Naina Kumar