Education Programs at The Briars

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We believe the best environmental education occurs in nature. At the Briars we offer hands on learning in our 230-hectare outdoor classroom. Our Foundation to Year 6 programs have been developed to explore contemporary environmental challenges facing the next generation.

Our offer includes six Biological Science programs. In addition, we offer Animal Encounter* programs where students interact with live Australian native animals. Details and Victorian Curriculum links are detailed below in each class description.

Sessions are available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the school term, and we offer three time slots per day.

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Briars Education Program

Our classes are delivered by our Rangers who are trained conservationists, environmentalists and educators. Our classes are available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the school term.

You are welcome to book between one and three time slots per day which are set at 10am, 11am and 12.40pm. When booking, please book the day and the number of time slots and then select the class you would like for each time slot.

Example timetable for Briars Education Program:

Program 10am - 10:50am 11am - 11:50am 12pm - 12:40pm 12:40pm - 1:30pm
Class 1
(25 students)
Plant power Cogs of nature Lunch Creature features
Class 2
(25 students)
Creature features Plant power Lunch Cogs of nature
Class 3
(25 students)
Cogs of nature Creature features Lunch Plant power

Animal Encounter Program

Our Animal Encounter class is delivered by Dyllan Muller, Australian wildlife conservationist, educator and trained animal handler.  These classes are available only Tuesdays.  TERM 2 Dates:  May 9 and 23, June 6 and 20, 2023.

You are welcome to book between one and three time slots per day which are set at 10am, 11am and 12.40pm. When booking, please book the day and the number of time slots and then select the class you would like for each time slot.

Example timetable for Briars Education Program and Animal Encounter Program*:

Program 10am - 10:50am 11am - 11:50am 12pm - 12:40pm 12:40pm - 1:30pm
Class 1
(25 students)
Cogs of nature Animal Habitats* Lunch Plant power
Class 2
(25 students)
Plant power Cogs of nature Lunch Animal Habitats*
Class 3
(25 students)
Animal Habitats* Plant power Lunch Cogs of nature

Things to consider for your visit

We can accommodate a total of 75 students per time slot (3 classes of 25 students each). However, single or double time slot bookings are also welcome. Classes are taught outside in the Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Briars Park and students should be dressed appropriately.

Cost

Briars Education Program: $145.00 per class with a maximum of 25 students.
Animal Encounter Program: $400 per class with a maximum of 25 student.
A Briars Education Program and an Animal Encounter Program: $485.00 for both with a maximum of 25 students in each class (please multiple by two time slots so that all students have the same experience).
Two Briars Education Programs and an Animal Encounter Program: $600 for all three with a maximum of 25 students in each class (please multiple by three time slots so that all students have the same experience).

What to bring

Students will need to bring a hat, their lunch, a drink bottle with water and have sunscreen already applied. We request that teachers organise tubs for lunches to be stored on the deck of our Visitor’s Centre.

Bus and coach parking

As the Visitor Centre carpark can become busy, we recommend busses use the first gravel carpark on the left before the bridge. Students and teachers can walk across the bridge to the BBQ area where Rangers will greet them.

Lunch

There is a 40-minute block allocated for lunch between sessions 2 and 3. Students and Teachers have the opportunity to have lunch on our event lawn. Please note this time block includes travelling from the second session to the event lawn, as well as a toilet break before the next session begins. There is a filtered water tap available on the deck at the Visitor Centre to fill water bottles.

Toilets

There are two female and male toilets at the Visitor Centre. However, they won’t have access to amenities while in the Wildlife Sanctuary.

 

Programs