Humanities News

Learning is Life: Biomes and Food Security Studies in Year 9 Geography

Did you know that globally almost 821 million people (or one in nine) go hungry every day? In Australia alone, four million households struggled to put food on the table in 2023 (information from World Vision and Foodbank).

Our studies about different types of natural environments around the world and their varying ability to sustain life have led us to discussions about food security, reasons for food insecurity as well as future food solutions. Learning is life and nothing happens in isolation. What we learn in class is interconnected with us and the communities we live in. If the natural environment co-determines how successfully a country can feed their people and if food insecurity is a global and Australian issue, then it will be a problem in our local community as well.

Both Year 9 Geography classes as well as Mr Mai and Ms Mahoney’s Hands on Learning class visited Echuca Neighbourhood House (ENH) and Foodbank this week to find out that food insecurity – or, not knowing when you will have your next meal – is a huge concern in our region. In the last 20 days alone, almost 100 families relied on the food provided by ENH Foodbank to feed their families. Fresh produce is grown in the ENH vegetable garden and turned into meals twice a week which people can either take home or enjoy in company at the ENH in town. It was by sheer luck that some of St Joseph’s College food classes had just finished cooking meals for ENH which we took with us on our visit. We thank Alyx and Sue for their time and for sharing their knowledge with us.

The students were touched, many questions asked, some said they would like to volunteer, and we discussed ideas how we could follow our visit up back in class. When knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom are applied to the community with students viewing issues through the lens of our motto ‘strength and kindliness’ and our core values – compassion, courage, hope, hospitality, justice and wonder – we witness deep learning that helps young people grow as individuals, learners and citizens.

The students are to be commended for their conduct and respectful interactions. They were true ambassadors for St Joseph’s College.

Mrs Phillips

Geography Teacher and Humanities Leader