Environment & Sustainability 

Gigi the Mini Pig

After such great success with our chickens, the Environmental Leadership Team and I are embarking on the next chapter in terms of incorporating more animals into our school. After much researching and planning we have a new addition to our school: Gigi the Mini Pig!

Gigi arrived safely late Thursday afternoon after her flight down to Melbourne from the breeder in NSW. I have been in communication with the breeder preparing for Gigi’s arrival, her dietary requirements, sleeping arrangements and her behavioural training. Like our chickens, Gigi will be used in a specific Pet Therapy Program at Coburg HS. To support students who experience any emotional distress and anxiety, we are hoping that Gigi can be a little ray of sunshine and a calming influence as students walk over to the Kitchen Garden with the Wellbeing team.

Gigi is currently 7weeks old, so she is still only young. She has a pink tag in her ear which is a requirement by law from Agriculture Australia. It is known as a Pig-Pass which informs the breeder where the pig is at all times in case of any disease outbreaks. The Pig-Pass also informs Agriculture Australia that the breeder is registered and undertakes training and obey’s appropriate livestock husbandry. By Australian Law it is also mandatory to obtain a free Property Identification Code (PIC) and we have obtained that through the Department of Agriculture Victoria. Gigi will be visiting the Vet every six months for her health and dental check and worm tablet. Gigi will grow to the size of a solid Blue Heeler, about 45-60cm tall and she will weigh about 40-70kg when fully grown.

Once Gigi walks happily on her lead and is toilet trained she will engage in the Pet Therapy Program. Gigi will spend her first term in the administration office with Sally and her team with regular walks around our school yard during recess and lunch with the help of students in the Environmental Leadership Team. Gigi is already growing in confidence and she is becoming more independent in terms of grazing around school grounds with the students and spending time in our garden with the chickens.

During the evenings, weekends and school holidays, Gigi will live with her two mum’s either myself or Sally. Sally and I are both committed to ensuring Gigi is happy and safe and ready for her day making students, staff and visitors to the school smile. 

I would like to say a big thank you to the Environmental Leadership students who have been waiting patiently for her arrival and to Sally for helping with managing our Gigi and taking her home for training. It has been a long road but she is here now and already bringing smiles to the faces of everyone.

Anna Vella

Sustainability Coordinator & Science Teacher