VCAL Landscaping works

Year 11 VCAL students across 3 classes led by Mr Lean, Mr Baird and myself worked well in semester 2,  to complete a gabion basket seating project and  construct new garden beds.  The overall aim was to improve the B block/canteen courtyard area and get students to demonstrate positive employability skills with a practical project. 

Students had a detailed associated written assignment to complete as well in class. Plants were recycled from where new building works are soon to start, clay soils improved and OH+S considerations regularly discussed. Much teamwork helped ensure the project was completed successfully despite often challenging inclement weather. 

Well done to all involved, including also  Mr Hunt and support teacher Rose Green-Jones as well who assisted and were positive role models.  Many thanks to James Woodward for much welding done on metal edging, and to Kevin for helping oversee securing of cypress pine capping.  The project was celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony and a BBQ onsite.

Mr Butler

Project reflection by Ella

Throughout semester 2 of this year, all year 11 VCAL students have been put to hard work to complete a complex project as part of their Work Related Skills course. They have been asked to build some Gabion baskets around the trees outside of B block. They were also asked to clean up the area and plant some native Australian plants as well as transplanting others in the newly made garden beds. They first began by rough sketching where they’d like to put the baskets and had to figure out the cost for the project. Once all that was sorted they began to work hard. They first started by closing off the work site and clearing up the ground. While doing the physical aspect of the project they were also required to do some theory. That included how to safely use a hand drill, personal protective equipment, OH&S hazards and how to control them, etc. While working outside on the project, students were to identify possible hazards in the workplace and how they could minimise them. Throughout this project students learnt self -management, teamwork, time management and how to identify and control hazards.  

Project reflection by Jay

There was a lot of planning involved. We needed to put temporary plastic fences to keep unauthorised persons out. We need to put metal material into the ground to know where the outline for the garden would be. We needed to plan what rocks we need for the ground and the barriers. We also needed to adapt to the weather conditions and the environment. Multiple outcomes were achieved, students have shown teamwork and many other skills, including learning a lot about how to keep themselves and others safe at work. 

Work site summary paragraph from Dana

At the start we planned where the project would be, which was outside B Block and the canteen. We planned where to put what and then worked out the prices of materials required, the tools needed, and hazards involved. This included, footwear, eye protection, and proper full cover clothing. Some tools used were shovels, pick axe, rakes, and wheel barrows.  

We first dug the trenches for the metal edging to go into ground and the garden beds. Then when the edging was in we got the stones and covered the ground with them, and starting making the gardens and planting while also putting together the gabion baskets. 

Then once plants were in we did some trimming and with the baskets we started putting the rocks into them and making the lids. Now it’s pretty much all done and ready for use.

General reflection from Kodi

This year in Work Skills we learnt a lot and did fun tasks like learning about the do’s and don’ts on the work sites. We finished lots of work over the year and I had fun gardening. Learning about plants and skills on site was something I often looked forward to and work skills was that place to learn about it. I found it fun going outside during class and shovelling rock and I learned new things along the way, like how to grow carrots and lettuce and first aid as well as how to handle food and the responsible serving of alcohol. Overall I found that I enjoy getting out of the class room.