Assembly this fortnight was given a dynamic lift with a presentation by the Year 10 Regenerative Agriculture Biodynamic Gardening students. A sample of some of the projects that were presented included:
Biodynamic healing methods- the creation of indigenous medicines to balance soil and produce.
An Aztec Milpa - an ancient and ongoing method of companion planting projects studies how three crops, dubbed ‘The Three Sisters’, help each other thrive when grown together.
Self-serve bird feeder - a prototype for a bird feeder on a pulley system, with capacity to also grow plants for the birds to use (for food and nest building etc) is in the making!
No-kidding chocolate - winning a popularity contest, students sourced, researched and grew a cacao tree. Their idea to make chocolate flavoured with biodynamic flavours from the garden and make with sustainable goat milk, may have been the inspiration behind another student’s comprehensive feasibility study of keeping pygmy goats on campus.
The art of Bonsai - demonstrating one student's deep study of miniature trees and everything it takes to help them thrive, including the creation of an irrigation prototype.
Teas and infusions - a collaborative effort involving the growing, harvesting, preserving and infusion of biodynamic flora, their flavours and medicinal properties.
Artistic impression - the painting of our garden illustrating an ability to truly ‘see’ into a landscape, to analyse botanical textures, colours and composition that evoke wellbeing.
Fragrant oil distillery - a beautiful copper oil distiller was loaned to a group who experimented with the process of extracting essential oils, some as fragrances, and some as consumable flavours.
Well Being for all in the Biodynamic Garden: the qualities interweaving with all the class participants and activities in the ‘oasis ‘ were investigated and qualified by a student dubbed a ‘social alchemist ‘.
These diligent Year 10s, demonstrated self direction, self motivation, and a sound understanding and reflection on the complexities of biodynamic regenerative agriculture. In fueling each others’ interests, and helping each other present to such a large number of students and staff, including our Head of School, Diana Drummond, they also experienced the beauty of social biodynamics.
The presentation was concluded by a morning tea in the garden, catered for entirely by the year 10 Regenerative Agriculture students. This popular high school minor elective, headed by our well-known Biodynamic Agricultural educator, Sandra Frain, and garden assistants Michelle Chambers and Kai Schaefer (as well as Garden Assistants, Ilona, Guchi and Victoria) is offered to Year 10 students. Classes are held in our very own campus biodynamic boutique-sized farm.
Biodynamic Agriculture is part of the Glenaeon curriculum from preschool up until year 6. If you would like to find out more about it you can contact s.frain@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au.
We know that sustainable farming, land, water and general environmental care, and adjacent studies, are becoming an essential part of our children’s future both in terms of employment opportunities and overall wellbeing. We are proud that Glenaeon provides a robust opportunity for students to deepen their curiosity and understanding of our environment through hands-on agricultural practices.
Recommended documentaries: Kiss the Ground, Common Ground
Article crafted by Ilona Tar, with help from Year 10 students Kai D., Rosie B., and educator Sandra Frain