‘Farm schooling’ during lockdown

During 2020, Victoria went into lockdown in an effort to supress the COVID-19 virus, and we saw schools move to remote learning or ‘home schooling’ as it became known, for more than 90 days of the school year.

The Avington farm office was converted into a classroom for staff member Nadine Stanton’s daughters Matilda, Ruby and Maggie, so they could complete their home learning program, while Nadine continued to work on the farm while supervising the girls. 

Home schooling quickly turned to ‘farm schooling’ as the girls utilised many aspects of the farm as part of their learning; helping with lambing in the breeding centre, collecting and using different materials for creative tasks and using the shearing shed for PE lessons. The farm crew soon became involved in all of their activities, including joining in on Beep test with the children, making lockdown more light-hearted for everyone.