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. In 2024 we are offering programs for Year 7 to Year 10 students and are very happy to work with teachers in developing programs and activities to support VCAL and VCE subjects.

Our suite of programs includes three Biological Science and Sustainability programs.

In addition, we offer a First Peoples Cultural Program in partnership with Living Culture. 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.

We also offer a self-directed bush kindergarten program, which is available for you to download.

Book here

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. For all program descriptions and how to plan your day with detailed costs please download Plan your Program.(PDF, 310KB)

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 Bushfire Lunch Creature features
Class 2
(25 students)
Creature features Plant power Lunch Bushfire
Class 3
(25 students)
Bushfire Creature features Lunch Plant power

Cultural Program with Living Culture

Living Culture provides immersive, cultural programs from the First People's perspective. Your students can find out all about our fauna and flora and the knowledge they give us by taking a program with Living Culture on country in the Wildlife Sanctuary.

Things to consider for your visit

We can accommodate a total of 50 students per time slot (2 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: $152.00 per class with a maximum of 25 students.
Living Culture Program: $650+GST for one program, up to 40 students. 2 programs on the same day on the same costs $1000+GST

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.

Puggle Play Preschool Program

The Puggle Play Preschool Program has been designed as a self-directed program. Bring your Puggles in for a whole day of Puggle Play or build your own Bush Kinder program and incorporate these Briars-based activities. Our program aims to connect children to nature, through experiences that support and promote the development across the 5 outcome areas in the Victorian Early Years and Development Frameworks (VEYLDF).

Download: Puggle Play Preschool Program(PDF, 2MB)

Programs