Environmental Programs

Environment and Agriculture in 2020

This is the start to an exciting year for the Environmental Studies Faculty. We have more Environment classes running than ever before which highlights the growing enthusiasm our students have for Environment and Agriculture subjects offered at Aitken College.

The Year 9 Agriculture & Environmental Studies class, delivered by Mr Dwayne Ganci, focuses on the Chicken and Egg industry in Australia, as well as Aboriginal relationships with the land, the impact of European settlement and local revegetation efforts. The practical and engaging curriculum will provide a foundation of knowledge for students to later choose if they would like to continue studying Agriculture and/or Environmental Studies into Senior School.

Mr Chris Reid will be teaching both the Year 10 Agriculture class (Semester 1) and Environmental Studies class (Semester 2). The practical components of each of these subjects make-up the majority of students’ time, providing a hands-on and holistic learning experience for all. As part of the curriculum, students will participate in activities such as Cows Create Careers where they look after new-born calves for a unit of study. They will also implement whole-college environmental action plans to make positive and long lasting impacts at Aitken.

We are thrilled to be running the VCE Environmental Science subject in 2020. Ms Graziella Carta is the VCE Environmental Science teacher this year and already has some great ideas for how to maintain a practical atmosphere amongst the rigors of VCAA requirements.

I also want to highlight the amazing work done by Aitken’s Environmental Programs Assistant, Mr Glenn Hudson. Each of the Environmental Studies subjects mentioned above, and every environment activity, market stall, revegetation effort, agriculture program, and sustainability initiative in general is powered by Glenn’s dedication and expertise. Every time you drive into the College and appreciate the view of the Barn, produce gardens and paddocks, please know that Glenn has been a pivotal factor in making Environmental Programs at Aitken what it is today.

The year ahead will be full of challenges and change for the growing Faculty of Environment Studies, but we are excited to face things head on and generate lots of positive momentum for 2020!

Wild flowers in the native garden near the Barn

Revegetation efforts along Bridies Creek, flowing through Aitken College property

Ms Cristy Herron

Head of Environmental Programs