The farm is used for all levels of learning (prep to Year 12) within the school curriculum, with Year 4 students being based on the campus for this important learning year. A priority of the brief was to accommodate key parts of the Year 4 curriculum based on the Reggio Emilia’s educational philosophies into the developed landscape. Improved ecological diversity and food production within the school gardens were key landscape themes.
Following an understanding of the curriculum and Ballarat Grammar’s brief, the landscape master plan incorporated the following important elements in the grounds surrounding the Agricultural and Environmental Learning Centre:
- outdoor food preparation, cooking and alfresco dining areas
- stage and assembly space
- unique shade structures
- cubby houses
- animal enclosures
- vegetable and kitchen gardens and greenhouse
- orchard and food forest
- native grasslands
- frog pond habitat including a stormwater treatment
- an extensive and connective pathway, vehicle roadways and parking network linked to the existing farm
The farm plan considered the future development of the property and included the following:
- an equestrian precinct
- indigenous plantations
- agroforestry plantations
- waterway treatment and wetlands
- rural landuse
- pedestrian and vehicle circulation around the farm
