Geography News

 Year 8 Geography Fieldwork

Over three days in Vermont Secondary sent six Year 8 Geography classes to Blackburn Lake to investigate the degree to which Blackburn Lake is a natural or a human landscape. This ties into our studying of landscapes and landforms that we completed last term, whereby students have been learning about the Earth’s various landscapes. 

Students were welcomed by an Education Officer from Whitehorse Council at the lake and listened to a historical presentation on the lake’s Indigenous history, formation and subsequent uses. Our Year 8’s then collected various forms of data (such as a canopy cover estimation) around the lake on a guided walk. 

Afterwards we all caught our train back from Blackburn Station, where we further compared the difference between a truly urban environment compared to the Lake Sanctuary. All Year 8’s are to be commended on their exemplary behaviour, and I thank Mr. Duiveman, Ms. Sadler, Ms. Bowen, Mr. Pearson and Ms. Leak for their help.

- Mr. Calwell

Year 12 Geography Fieldwork – Burwood Brickworks

On Friday the 12th of May, the three Unit 3 and 4 Geography classes (65 students, wow) undertook their final fieldwork experience for secondary Geo!!! (Sad and surreal!) – This was to investigate Land Use Change, with an emphasis on local areas that have undergone change. For Term 2, focus has been around the former Clay and Brick industrial quarry, and its change into a modern recreational, residential, and commercial hub.

It was great to see the students get out and about, and refamiliarizing themselves with excursion opportunities that recommenced in 2022, following as we all know, the lockdowns and lack of external educational experiences in 2020/2021. This will all tie in with their next school assessed coursework task, where they will write a geographical report. A big emphasis is placed on primary and secondary data, to answer a research question.

Some activities undertaken include surveying residents and visitors, designing a field sketch, and recording the interconnection of people and transport. It was a valuable and worthwhile experience, and we look forward to reading the completed reports in the coming weeks!! Thanks to Mr. Calwell for joining us and well done to the Year 12’s for completing their final Fieldwork, good luck for your report writing!

- Mr. Connell and Ms. Muirden