Julie’s hooked on school farm program

Volunteer chaplain Julie Toombs now devotes four days a week to serving an innovative school farm project energising previously disengaged primary-age students.

“I’m the luckiest chaplain in the State,” she said.

“I don’t quite have the words to describe how great this program is, and how much the kids love it.”

Julie, who has worked as a chaplain at several North-West schools on behalf of Devonport Chaplaincy, said the Wilmot Inquiry School Program (WISP) focused on immersing 32 students a week in hands-on teaching experiences, from gardening and animal care, to cooking and carpentry. 

Julie catches the bus each day with eight students from the corresponding number of participating schools who make their way to Wilmot Primary School for the outdoor lessons.

They are joined by the host school’s students who are used to sharing the farm with their North-West counterparts.

“The kids get to pat sheep, use power tools, get their hands dirty in the garden, make food and run around the farm,” she said.

“No one’s telling them to sit down, be quiet, don’t get dirty, although there are other rules that have to be followed.

“None of the students are talking about Fortnite or television or anything online.

“They are so grateful to be able to participate in the program.

“Each week we make a meal for the whole school, using the produce and meat from the farm.

“What we don’t use is sold to parents or the local community.”

Julie said she volunteered for the program so the school wouldn’t have to fund a paid position.

“I went to the farm with kids from East Devonport Primary School during the trial period last year and just fell in love with it,” she said.

“For a start, just look where the school is located.”

Nestled between Bass Strait and Cradle Mountain and with a view of imposing Mt Roland, the school sits on 10 hectares of prime grazing land.

The WISP program started last year as a trial for two schools, but has been expanded to eight schools thanks to a $654,000 State Government grant.

Participating schools are Latrobe Primary School, Ulverstone Central, Miandetta Primary School, Penguin Primary School, Devonport Primary School, East Devonport Primary School and  West Ulverstone Primary School.

There’s even a waiting list of students and schools wanting to join the fun.

Julie said she caught the bus each day to support the bus driver, get to know the students, and help settle them before the hectic outdoor school day begins.

“There are quite a few problems you can solve along the way.”

By Paul O’Rourke