Newcastle Afoot, the walking tour business, has launched a new School Education Program providing immersive student walking tours based on the themes of Newcastle’s rich history, geography, and visual arts.
The learning experience has been developed with the support of major sponsor, Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC), who plays a key role in delivering revitalisation projects across the city.
Experiences will include hands-on and dress-up activities that students complete on their walking tour, in some cases helping them imagine themselves as a convict or a key person in history.
With the sponsorship, Newcastle Afoot have recruited an Excursions Program Coordinator to consult with schools to ensure students can meet important syllabus outcomes.
Newcastle Afoot Director, Becky Kiil said it’s very exciting to be able to partner with HCCDC to provide more engagement for local students.
“We’re proud to create fun and informative primary and high school excursions that help teachers meet student learning outcomes in an engaging and meaningful way,” Becky said.
HCCDC Chief Executive, Valentina Misevska said there are so many vibrant opportunities in the city and that it’s great to be able to explore that with this program.
“This is a great city to explore on foot with its unique history, colourful street art, heritage spaces and stunning waterfront and with the city’s transformation continuing, it’s only getting better,” Valentina said.
“We’re thrilled to support this fantastic education initiative and congratulate Newcastle Afoot on developing this innovative program.”
With the new program comes a new meeting place for Newcastle Afoot tours; a colourful storytelling ground mural exploring Newcastle’s culture and history has been painted on the former railway platform at The Station in Newcastle East.
Newcastle Afoot is celebrating their fifth birthday by adding the excursions program to their regular business of walking tours, corporate events, scavenger hunts and placemaking events.
“We think Newcastle is just as unique as The Rocks in Sydney in its value to learning about Australia, our history, and how we are changing,” Becky continued.
“We envision this city becoming the preferred excursion location for schools from our region and beyond.”
IMAGE | Luke Russell from Wylaa Buuranliyn, Becky Kiil from Newcastle Afoot, Inari, and her artist team from Creative Compound at the new mural at The Station. (Photographer: Lee Illfield)
