Available late Term 4
Note: we can also facilitate a Bush craft alternative that addresses the same outcomes without referencing Christmas.
Science and technology – living world, Geography – people live in places
Program overview
An Aussie Christmas – Caring for Our Wildlife
This hands-on and heartwarming incursion invites Stage 1 students to celebrate the festive season while exploring themes of sustainability, native wildlife, and community care.
Each participating school receives a native plant to improve habitat in their school grounds.
Session details
75 minutes. Up to 3 sessions (one class each) per day.
All sessions must be held in the same room due to that nature of the art activity and set-up required. Room and supply requirements will be detailed on your booking sheet.
Learning experiences
- Students enjoy a read-aloud of An Aussie Christmas Tree by Jackie Hosking, which introduces the idea of an Australian Christmas that celebrates our unique environment and animals.
- Students meet Penny, a preserved ringtail possum, and learn about her life, diet, and habitat needs. This encounter helps children understand the importance of caring for local wildlife.
- What Does a Sustainable Christmas Look Like? Through guided discussion, students share ideas about how to celebrate Christmas in ways that help, rather than harm, the environment, such as reusing, recycling, and caring for nature.
- Each student prints and decorates a reusable calico gift bag to give to someone they love, reducing waste and spreading joy sustainably.
- Planting for the Future. Together, students plant a native seedling in the school grounds to provide future food and shelter for possums and other native animals.
- A Christmas Gift for Possums. As a final act of giving, students help weave a cosy drey (nest) using natural materials, creating a special Christmas gift for any possum that may one day call their school home
