BALLARAT Grammar School’s grade 4 pupils spent their first day at their new campus at the school’s Mount Rowan farm on Thursday.
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The 68 pupils will attend school at the farm four days a week, having a hands-on approach to learning and nature.
School headmaster Stephen Higgs said the school had received the final tick of approval to run the campus in the mail on Wednesday, and bussed the kids out to the farm the next day, coincidentally World Environment Day.
He said the normal curriculum would be taught at the campus, in context with its surroundings, with students spending each Wednesday at the Wendouree campus for speciality subjects including art, physical education and music.
Mr Higgs said it had attracted new families to the school, with 20 extra children joining the cohort this year for the program.
The new environmentally sustainable building is set on the school’s 50 hectare campus which was already home to the school’s farm.
The site isn’t complete yet, with an outdoor kitchen, vegetable garden and orchard still to be finished.
Grade 4 co-ordinator Clarice Lisle said pupils would learn everything at the campus, combined with an outdoor experience and focus on caring for life.
Pupil Jack Quinlan said he enjoyed exploring the campus and meeting the animals outside.