Professional Learning Opportunities

The Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) offers a series of professional learning courses aimed at primary and secondary school teachers, university staff, and other leaders who are planning a trip to Rottnest with their group.

These one day courses provide participants with an orientation to the Island as well as environmental education ideas and activities that can be used with their school or group.  The five different, one day learning courses have been developed by the RIA Education team to focus on different Island attributes.

Professional learning courses (each 1 day) that are curently available:

• Induction to Rottnest Island for excursion/camp leaders
• History and Cultural Heritage
• The Marine Environment
• The Terrestrial Environment
• Environmental Management

On each course, participants will take part in a range of activities and presentations relating to the topic area, and be shown sites and resources that will assist them in running their own activities, excursions or camps on Rottnest.

Each itinerary is planned so that participants can travel to and from Rottnest in the day, without the additional cost of an overnight stay on the Island. 

Induction to Rottnest Island 

This course is designed to provide new camp leaders with an orientation to Rottnest Island so that they feel confident in facilitating a school excursion or overnight camp.  Participants will have the opportunity to meet Education staff and find out what activities, support and resources are available to groups during a visit to Rottnest. An overview of the environmental and cultural attributes of the Island will be provided during a bus ride or cycle (depending on the season), as well as a visit to the Island’s accommodation facilities and education venues, to ensure that all camp leaders know how to make the most of a visit to Rottnest Island with their group or school.  

Offered annually in December and January, please email education@rottnestisland.com for dates.                                             

History and Cultural Heritage     

This course provides participants with an overview of Rottnest Island’s layered history and cultural connections. The day includes a look at the history of European settlement on the Island and the relationship that Aboriginal people have with the land. Participants will discover evidence of the Island’s colonial heritage with a visit to the oldest streetscape in Australia, and find out about the impact that the first inhabitants had on the Island and Aboriginal people. A trip to Oliver Hill will also illustrate just how important the Island is in the military history of Western Australia.

Term 3:             Friday 17 August 2012                                  

Marine Environment

Many of Rottnest’s 500,000 annual visitors are attracted to the Island’s marine and coastal environment. On this course, participants will take a journey around the Island and experience the marine environment through a guided snorkel tour with qualified staff, and discover a little about the maritime history of the Island. Participants will also learn how the Rottnest Island Authority is managing the marine environment and fragile coastal zone for a wide range of visitor uses.

Term 4:              Monday 05 November 2012                                           

Terrestrial Environment

Since Willem de Vlamingh first landed on the Island in 1696, Rottnest Island’s environment has seen many changes. In this course, participants will investigate Rottnest’s various terrestrial ecosystems including salt lakes, freshwater swamps and woodlands. Participants will examine the terrestrial flora and fauna that call this A-Class Reserve home, and uncover a little of the Island’s geological make up. Discover how history has changed the terrestrial make up of the Island, learn about our efforts to preserve and protect the terrestrial environment, and participate in a number of interactive activities that will get you thinking about how these systems really work.

Term 3:              Friday 7 September 2012                                                

Environmental Management

Sustainability is at the forefront of the Rottnest Island Authority’s management aims, where a balance between recreation and environmental management must be achieved. On this course, participants will take a look at how Rottnest Island really ticks behind the scenes to deliver the resources required to support visitors, businesses and residents, in regards to water, energy, waste and waste water management. Participants will also visit sites that demonstrate the Rottnest Island Authority’s programs and initiatives that address environmental management, including rehabilitation projects, marine sanctuary zones and the sustainable villa.

Environmental Management Course Information PDF

Term 2:               Friday 22 June 2012

Term 4:               Monday 15 October 2012                                           

More Information

• The cost of each course is $195.00 per participant and includes morning tea and lunch, return ferry tickets, bike hire (if required), activities for the day, subject-related material and a certificate of completion for the Professional Leaning Course.
• The total course time is 8 hours.
• Participants will board the 7:30am Rottnest Express ferry from B-Shed in Fremantle. Depending on the season, the 7:15am Fast Ferry from Hillarys may also be available. Both return services depart Rottnest at 4.30pm.
• Unfortunately courses may be cancelled if not enough registrations are received. The Marine Environment Course may also be rescheduled or cancelled due to inclement weather.
• After submitting a Registration Form, your name will go on the participant list for the course you are electing. When adequate numbers are reached to run the course, we will send you an invoice along with the final details for the day.

Contact us

Rottnest Island Authority  I  Community Engagement Unit

Email education@rottnestisland.com

P (08) 9372 9712 I  F (08) 9432 9301 I  W www.rottnestisland.com