Alkira Secondary College(ASC) Intermediate VCAL students planted 250 indigenous plants at Berwick Chase Primary in very tough conditions on Friday, 10 August.
The success of this community project was a culmination of a lengthy planning and design process during Term 2 during which students collaborated with Cardinia Catchment Land Care (CCLC) president Glen Brooks-MacMillan as well as CCLC members Kellie Williams, Isabel Ebsworth, Jeanette Ehrlich and Gagani Warnakulasoofiya.
Students learnt the importance of indigenous plants and sustainability and planned, organised and designed the garden.
They created plant lists, prepared risk registers, designed gardens and researched patterns for nesting boxes.
CCLC mentors started by ensuring that all students understood the highest risk which was working outside in the high north westerly winds that reached over 60km per hour.
The Land Care mentors showed students how to plant and install mesh guards for support in the wild winds.
They got most of the watering done before leaving early for safety reasons.
This is a very exciting time for ASC and their broader community.
This project inspired the primary school and Landcare to work with the City of Casey to plant out the adjacent drain.ASC has been approached by Clyde Primary School who are keen to become involved and negotiations are under way.
These works are contributing to a larger nature link that is currently being promoted through a State Government initiative called Pick My Project.
Quote from Glenn Brooks-MacMillan, President, CCLC
“These plantings are an example of what is needed to achieve the objectives of a local project called Healseville to Phillip Island Nature Link,” CCLC president Glen Brooks said.
Quote from Mr Chris Short, Principal, Berwick Chase Primary School:
Berwick Chase Primary School principal Chris Short said Berwick Chase has been lucky to be selected to participate in this exciting program.
“The Alkira students consulted with experts and designed a native garden that looks amazing.
“Our students were very jealous that they could not be out there helping .Thanks to the students, staff and consultants that worked together to make this project a reality.”
ASC VCAL work related skills teacher Laura Henderson said, “These fantastic students are the key to the success of this community projects.
“I am very proud of them. They have started their reviews and we will be celebrating their success later this year.
“This project is part of ASC’s new VCAL Business Program that provides opportunities to work authentically with ‘clients’ to build on a range of work competencies whilst networking as well as their personal development.”
