Year 1 Excursion to 

The Briars

This term in Year 1, students have been studying Geography. As part of this integrated unit of learning, students investigated the weather and seasons, read maps and discovered new knowledge about moutains, rivers and wetlands. They also learnt about the wildlilfe that call these places home. To bring learning to life, Year 1 students visited local conservation reserve, The Briars, in Mount Martha. 

You will never believe where the Year 1's went on Thursday 13th 2026! We got to go on an excursion to the Briars in Mt. Martha. I learnt that possum skin is the third warmest fur in the world (the second softest fur is the fur of an Arctic ox and the warmest is the fur of a Polar bear). When I was at the Briars, I saw a koala in a tree. It was really cute. I saw a kangaroo resting in the sun and lots of birds, ducks and geese. It was really fun. I wish we had stayed even longer!  

- Lola 1W

At the Briars Wildlife Sanctuary, we made a pretend bonfire! To make a bonfire, we needed some sticks, bark and stones. Then we had snack. Next, we went up the hill then we rolled back down the hill. We also chased Mrs. Forbes down the hill. She is very fast! I loved the Briars. 

- Clara 1F

Year 1 went to the Briars Wildlife Sanctuary. It was really fun. We saw a kangaroo and also an emu. Afterwards, we went for a walk and saw a koala sleeping in a tree. We also went to the Briars Homestead. Then we went to a place up on a hill when we went on a bush walk and we made a bonfire.

- Frankie 1F

On Thursday 13th August, Year 1 went to the Briars Nature Park. First, we went to the homestead and did a scavenger hunt. Next, we did 'Creature Features' learning all about animals. It was awesome getting to see possum skin. After that, we did 'Plant Power'. We learnt that plants can move and grow in new places because of the animals that eat their seeds. Finally, we did 'Wild Weather' which was all about fire!

- Luna 1S

On Thursday 13th, Year 1 went to the Briars Nature Park. It was also my birthday! First, we saw the homestead. Then, I went in the wagon. Next, we ate our lunch. I got to see a koala and a kangaroo. I learnt a lot about nature. 

- Lily 1S

On Thursday, Year 1 went to the Briars. I liked that my mum came too. We even built a fire (but just a pretend one, of course!) We celebrated Lily's birthday by singing 'Happy Birthday!' around the fire. We all had a great day. 

- Ari 1S

At the Briars excursion, we saw a wallaby, a kangaroo and a koala. The koala was sleeping. We also got to see a really old house and explore around it. 

- Emmi 1M

At the Briars excursion, my mummy dropped me off in the car. First, we went to 'Creature Features' and then 'Wild Weather'. After that, we went on a bushwalk to the fire trail  and made a fire with sticks. It was up a steep hill. We walked all the way up the hill and back down again. We got to have a picnic lunch. 

- Piper 1M

Other exciting learning in Year 1

This term in Literacy, Year 1 have been reading fiction and non-fiction texts and identifying the features of each. Students have been learing how to write an Information Report. Each child has chosen an animal to write about and are creating information booklets and posters. In Integrated Wellbing lessons, students enjoyed reading 'The Pout Pout fish and the Bully-Bully shark'  and 'Elmer the Elephant'. They identified the Author's message in each story, which is that even though we are all different, we all belong! In Numeracy, Year 1 students have investigated shapes, tangrams, patterns and the properties of odd and even numbers. Students created their own shape and colour patterns and used a hundreds chart to identify number patterns when counting by 2's, 5's and 10's. In ICT, students have been researching fun animal facts and begun to learn how to touch type. It has been a very busy term indeed!