Hairy Connections

Animal-Assisted Wellbeing & Engagement Program

Healthy Animals, Happy Students

One of the highlights of this term was welcoming a veterinarian to Epsom Primary School to conduct annual health checks on our much-loved guinea pigs and chooks.

As part of our commitment to providing high standards of animal welfare, each animal received a thorough health assessment. The veterinarian checked their overall condition, weight, teeth, eyes, skin, feathers, and general wellbeing to ensure they remain healthy and happy members of our school community.

Students were fascinated to watch the process and learn firsthand about responsible animal care. The visit provided a valuable learning opportunity, allowing students to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of what animals need to stay healthy. They learned about the importance of regular health checks, proper nutrition, clean living environments, and preventative care.

We are pleased to report that our animals are in excellent health and continue to play an important role in our Green Nest and Hairy Connections programs. The guinea pigs and chooks provide students with opportunities to develop empathy, responsibility and confidence while learning about animal care and wellbeing.

A big thank you to our veterinarian and vet nurse for taking the time to visit our school and support the wellbeing of our animals. Experiences like these help bring learning to life and reinforce the importance of caring for all living things.

We are proud of the way our students help care for our animals each day and look forward to many more learning opportunities with our furry and feathered friends throughout the year.

Caring for Our Guinea Pigs

Students in Years 3–6 have been busy learning all about the care and wellbeing of our much-loved guinea pigs as part of our Green STEM program.

Through hands-on experiences, students are developing important life skills such as responsibility, empathy, and animal welfare awareness. They have been learning how to safely handle guinea pigs, provide fresh food and water, maintain clean living spaces, and recognise signs that an animal may be unwell. These valuable experiences help students understand that caring for animals requires commitment, patience and kindness.

As part of their Green STEM learning, students are exploring the science behind animal care, including nutrition, habitat design, hygiene practices, and the role animals play in supporting wellbeing. The program provides authentic opportunities for students to apply their learning while caring for living creatures.

To further support our animal care program, the school has recently purchased a set of protective smocks for students to wear when working with the guinea pigs. The smocks help maintain hygiene standards and ensure students can confidently participate in feeding, cleaning and handling activities.

We have also added a new food line to the Guinea Pig Village, making it easier and more efficient to provide vegetables to our furry friends. This improvement supports the daily care routines undertaken by students and helps create a safe and enriching environment for the guinea pigs.

Our guinea pigs continue to play an important role in student wellbeing, providing opportunities for connection, calmness and learning. We are incredibly proud of the care and dedication our students show each day as they help look after these special members of our school community. Through Green STEM, students are gaining valuable skills that will support them as future caretakers of animals, people and the environment.

Sawdust & Smiles Continues to Thrive

Our highly successful Sawdust & Smiles program has returned this term with a new group of enthusiastic Grade 5 students ready to learn, create and connect with community mentors.

The program brings together students and skilled volunteers to develop practical woodworking skills while building confidence, teamwork and problem-solving abilities. Through hands-on projects, students learn how to safely use tools, follow plans and create meaningful items that benefit both the school and wider community.

This term, students have begun constructing bird boxes that will be installed throughout our school grounds and shared with the greater community. These bird boxes will provide important nesting and shelter opportunities for local native birds, supporting biodiversity and encouraging wildlife to thrive in our local area.

The Sawdust & Smiles program continues to be a wonderful example of intergenerational learning. Students work alongside experienced mentors who generously share their knowledge, skills and life experiences. These positive relationships help build students' confidence, resilience and sense of belonging while fostering respect and connection across generations.

Over the past year, the program has been incredibly successful, with students completing a range of projects that have enhanced our school environment while developing valuable practical skills. The new group of Grade 5 students has already shown great enthusiasm and commitment, and we look forward to seeing their bird box project take shape over the coming weeks.

A big thank you to our dedicated mentors and community partners at the Huntly Men's Shed who continue to make this valuable learning opportunity possible. We can't wait to share the finished bird boxes and celebrate another successful term of Sawdust & Smiles.

This program is made possible thanks to grant funding from the City of Greater Bendigo and Bendigo Northern District Community Enterprise. We would also like to sincerely thank the Huntly Men's Shed for their ongoing support, guidance and encouragement throughout the project.