BMG 2019 Grammarian Issue 2

12 STAUGHTON VALE CAMPUS – MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAM The Staughton Vale Middle Years Program has become a regular learning opportunity for our Year 6 and Year 8 students in 2019. A day on the farm and learning in the outdoors provides an opportunity for our students to extend their learning beyond the classrooms at BMG. Both Maddingley and Woodlea campuses have experienced a number of days at the farm this year, enjoying the chance to explore and learn about the property. All students have been involved in a farm induction involving aspects of safety, farm skills and healthy food choices and are then set to take in all of the wonderful learning opportunities that the farm has to offer. This semester, the Year 6 cohort has experienced the following themed days: • How do animals adapt to their habitat? • How do humans interact with the environment? • How has fire shaped our land? The Year 6 students have used these experiences to understand the environment in which Staughton Vale is situated. The various scientific and geographical sessions have enabled them to build their enquiry skills and to develop a deeper connection to their surrounding environment. Visiting Serendip Sanctuary in Lara provided a real world example of the endangered species of the Western Plains region and what students can do to help the native wildlife and the ecosystems which they inhabit. The Year 8 cohort has experienced the following themed days this semester: • What are the competing land users of the area? • What factors contribute to healthy and reliable land? • Will there be enough water in the future? From these experiences, the students have worked together to build their critical and creative thinking, through investigating the various impacts humans have on our environment. The different Science, Geography and Personal Development sessions aim to develop knowledge, skills and motivations for action that contribute to their own well-being and that of the community and the natural environment.