Garden grows skills

Forward-thinking schools have adopted programs to instill a love of learning while giving their students a firm grounding in a variety of subjects, whether the student is looking to do a trade on leaving school or pursue tertiary education.

In a program being undertaken at the college, it’s not so much ‘‘thinking outside the box’’ but thinking ‘‘inside the planter box’’.

Cobram Secondary College has started construction of a community garden which, it is hoped, will not only give its students some real-world practical skills but also give community members a green space to enjoy.

Kobey Dickson liked the idea of getting a little dirt on his hands. Kobey is a confident young man and knows what career he wants to get into: earthmoving.

‘‘My family has been involved the panel repair industry; I think a good trade is a great way to set yourself up in life,’’ Kobey said.

‘‘I have never really been the sort of student to want to spend that much time in a classroom. I like the fact that with the garden, I can take part in the construction.’’

As he spoke, Kobey was sifting the recently excavated soil between his fingers.

‘‘I am definitely a hands-on type of guy.’’

Also on the work site was fellow student Lyam Roberts, who said the establishment of the gardens at the school was making a major change for the better — for the school and its students.

‘‘Not every student learns the same way; this is a way for all students to become involved in the school community and on top of that if some students do better in class because of it, then great.’’

It appears that the desire to work in the garden has also reignited some students’ desire to learn.

According to Cobram Secondary College, the Farm Garden Project was instigated to enable students who were more suited to a hands-on learning approach, or students at risk of becoming disengaged with school, to be involved in something that connected them to the school and the community and built their capacity as future employees.

College principal Kimberley Tempest has initiated similar projects with great success and has been able to bring her experience and enthusiasm to help get the project off the ground.

The college said VCAL students had been involved in the project from the start, working on creating a plan for the allocated area, and providing labour as required.

This project is reliant on community members, who have stepped forward and provided support in a variety of ways.

College Council president Warwick Higgins has also been a driving force, putting in hours of work get the project started.

The following organisations have been invaluable contributors to the Farm Garden to date: Cobram Mitre 10, Moira Shire Council, Suncountry Turf, Bell and Kearney Excavations, Cobram Irrigation, Cobram Rotary, Cobram Youth Foundation, Landcare, Victorian Schools Gardens Awards, and Goulburn Murray Local Learning and Employment Network.

Cobram Irrigation owner and Cobram Rotary president Rob Love is delighted to be involved with the garden development.

‘‘Cobram Irrigation is in a position to not only supply equipment to the project but we are doing the trenching for free. The garden will be a way of giving back to the community — and any opportunity for a school or service organisation to do that is a bonus.

‘‘Here as a prospective employer, students at this school get a chance to show us how well they can work, and in turn we get to know a bit about them and their work attitude. If they end up coming to us applying for a position, we know them and their ability already.

‘‘I am delighted to have the opportunity to be involved with kids who want to have a go.’’