News
In the weeks following our Junior School students’ return to school, we watched the culmination of a hands-on cross-curricular project, largely facilitated through lockdown, spring to life.
The new garden between Buick Hall and the Early Learning Centre was designed by Year 4 students to incorporate local indigenous plants and attract wildlife to enhance biodiversity.
In partnership with The Schools for Wildlife program, facilitated by CERES School of Nature and Climate, and with the support of Fintona’s Gardener Helen Kinross, Year 4 students conducted a habitat survey; investigated indigenous flora and fauna; tested soil samples to check pH, composition and degree of water absorption; and created a scaled design of their garden.
Links with First Nations perspectives were imperative for students to develop a deeper understanding of the caretaker role we each have in maintaining our beautiful surrounds, and each lesson began with an Acknowledgement of Country.
Skills in Science, Maths, Geography and Design and Technology were employed by students throughout the project as they worked together with local experts to design and create the new garden.
‘It was rewarding to learn alongside the students and be guided by the expertise of others. The girls engaged with curiosity, showed themselves to be spirited inquirers and showcased the love of learning we know Fintona girls all strive towards.’
Amy Miers, Year 4 Teacher
The project incorporated the broader social imperative of learning about plant and animal species indigenous to our local area and helped connect students to our local community and the environment. It is a wonderful legacy for our Year 4 students as they finish their time on the Junior Campus and it was clear they thoroughly enjoyed the project.
