Woori Farm School – a great place to learn
2016 has seen the beginning of a partnership between Woori Yallock Farm School, Cire Training and OPTIONS to support the delivery of Certificate I Conservation and Land Management at the Farm School, located in Woori Yallock.
Woori Yallock Farm School has been offering programs for nearly thirty years to students facing academic and/or social challenges. OPTIONS is the umbrella name for the services and educational support managed by Croydon Community School.
The delivery of the Certificate I Conservation and Land Management through the Farm School Program helps students to reengage, build social and team-working skills and increase self-esteem, whilst also providing the students with real pathways to employment. As part of the certificate program, students attend the Farm School one day a week for approximately 15 weeks.
“I have really enjoyed building strong relationships with friends in the course. This has given me more confidence and has helped me in mainstream schooling. I have now decided that I want to be in media when I am older as I have been able to take videos and create short films covering what we have been doing.” Ben, Healesville High School student
Some of the projects undertaken this year as part of the Certificate I have included restumping and painting the original Art Room (built in 1876); potting native plants, cuttings and seedlings in the Farm School nursery; learning how to prune plants; splitting firewood; building a pier and fishing shelter at the lake (which used to be the school’s footy oval); and assisting the Shire Yarra Ranges in planting trees and shrubs in a revegetation zone in Woori Yallock.
“I enjoyed building and really liked putting new stumps under the art building. This course has helped me decide that I would like to be a bricky when I am older.” Riley, Healesville High School student
“I loved working around the property fixing things.” Josh, Healesville High School student
Students from Healesville High School are one group who have undertaken this course in 2016, with 39 out of 40 enrolments successfully completing their Certificate I Conservation and Land Management.
“I have enjoyed learning about the Aboriginal culture so much that I now want to be an Aboriginal Liaison Officer when I am older. I have relatives that live in Tamworth that want to now come and visit the Woori Farm School in 2017 due to me being so excited when sharing what I learnt when I speak to them on the phone.” Brandi, Healesville High School student
The school, which was established in 1873, was originally created as a ‘tent school’ by the early settlers of the area. Three years later they built an art room. At one stage the government tried to sell the school but found it was owned by local residents and therefore unable to be sold.
Cire Training is very proud to share that Woori Yallock Farm School, partner to Cire Training, has recently been awarded an Environmental Schools Award by the UNAA World Environment Day Awards for 2016.
The UNAA (United Nations Association of Australia) Awards, which have been running since 2000, celebrate the innovation and creativity of Australian organisations and individuals in taking positive action.
The Woori Yallock Farm School was also a finalist for the ResourceSmart School Awards in the Biodiversity Secondary School of the Year category this year.
For further information on the Woori Farm School email Peter Preuss or call 0431 756 072. If you would like to know more about VET qualifications that Cire Training delivers click here or call 1300 835 235.
