In the coastal Geography Main Lesson, Year 9 students study landform formation in coastal environments and the different processes involved in shaping them. Coastal landforms such as headlands, beaches, dunes, lagoons, tombolos, estuaries, are investigated through the lenses of depositional and erosional processes from wave action, tides, rising sea level as well as human impacts such as built developments and infrastructure. Students then have the opportunity to synthesise their understanding and knowledge through the creation of their own topographic A3 map along a small section of a coast, linking the elements that interact in a coastal environment.
The Excursion to the south coast is an opportunity for students to see and feel many of these coastal processes and observe the resulting land forms at real life scale, rather than from images and diagrams. It is the perfect segway between the theory and the creation of their maps. The excursion also incorporates a pastoral component with the students being given the opportunity to learn to ride a surfboard and generally have some fun on the beach.
The weather this year was cool, and the surf small, but a great day was enjoyed by all.
