Year 12 Outdoor and Environmental Excursion  

The Tarneit Senior College Unit 3 and 4 Outdoor and Environmental Studies classes travelled to Truganina Park, as part of their logbook program provided by the school. Students have begun investigating the Truganina and Cheetham Wetlands, as part of their Unit 4 Areas of Study 1 and 3, where they undertake an investigative report of an outdoor environment. The students began walking from Altona Sport Centre alongside Skeleton Creek, observing Swans, Ducks and Stilted Ibis using the water, they also used 16 in 1 water testing kits. 

Along the walking trail, the classes stopped at information signage provided by Parks Victoria to understand more about the environment they were in, including how storm water and waste water travel through the area, and native species such as the Altona Skipper Butterfly and the Swift Parrot. The students saw many species of birds as Truganina Park is a legally protected migration site for different species, it was a highlight of the trip seeing so many different types of flora and fauna in the park. Some of our lucky students sighted a Blue Tongue Lizard, and the Stilted Ibis which can only be found in unique parts of Australia. We also walked by the Truganina Explosives Reserve, and observed a sustainable solar powered computer, that is being used to observe water quality in real time. 

The students will use the data and notes gathered during their observation, to complete each of their upcoming SACs for the term; and give them prompts to write about on the upcoming VCAA Unit 3 and 4 Examination in Term 4. The students conduct was exemplary, helping to clean parts of the environment they noticed was dirty, and their manners were fantastic when attending the Sport Centre for lunch.  

Nathan McLean

Outdoor and Environmental Studies Teacher