Cross Curricular Community Collaboration 

Over the past three weeks, we have been working on nesting boxes for the following native animals: Ringtail Possums, Kookaburras, Sugar Gliders and Rosellas. The program involved designing and building wooden nest box habitats while learning about wildlife sanctuary and the decrease of native environmental vegetation due to deforestation. The program initially started with Malcolm Wrest – President of Lalor Landcare who has extensive experience doing volunteer work in the environmental movement, and establishing areas of need along the Merri Creek with Chris Cobern -Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator. Malcolm worked with AV Jennings who were a core support in allowing the funding of the building materials in order for the project to be successful.

This was a cross-curricular activity within the college, with students from Years 8, 9 and 10 Art and Technology areas, including the Lalor Secondary College Koori group, making a valued contribution. The students constructed the nesting boxes with the help of Mr Ali and Mr Matzke. Then with Ms Richardson’s help, were able to design the colour scheme for the boxes, and paint them.

The nesting boxes will be given to Chris Cobern so that he can allocate them to a specific area of need within the community. Bronwyn Halfpenny, our Local Labour Member was also an avid supporter of this project, as it was Bronwyn that started the ball rolling on the project. It was great to see Bronwyn visit our students at Lalor Secondary College while they completed the work for these nesting boxes. While at the school, Bronwyn also discussed Koori student designs and ideas for the upcoming Indigenous Garden and viewed Xavier’s planter box made out of recycled materials in Year 11 Product Design. She has put in an order for one too!