OUT AND ABOUT
A PIONEERING OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM HAS GIVEN THESE QUEENSLAND STUDENTS A TASTE OF RURAL WORKING LIFE.
FOR MANY STUDENTS of St Peters Lutheran College in Brisbane, the compulsory five-week stay at the school’s 600-hectare farm north of Crows Nest in Queensland’s Darling Downs is their first opportunity to ride a horse, collect eggs or witness the birth of a lamb. Each day, the students work in groups to complete farm jobs and milking the five cows — Pearl, Lily, Daisy, Poppy and Ruby — is always a rewarding experience.
Matthew Sullivan, 42, is the director of Ironbark and oversees the program that introduces students to farm life. “There’s always the satisfaction of seeing milk in the bucket. Some kids really thrive and some are quite apprehensive because they haven’t been around large animals. The biggest thing is their growth in confidence,” he says.
Each Year Nine student participates in the pioneering Ironbark program where day students and boarders learn about the mixed farm and develop their skills with outdoor adventure activities such as orienteering, hiking, camping, horseriding and high ropes. It’s a break away from technology and their formal curriculum that allows them to grow in self confidence, character, strength and resilience in a natural environment.
Day student Cherise Marks, 15, enjoyed helping in the dairy during her time at the farm in 2019. “This particular farm job helped me appreciate the food that is put on my table,” she says. “Being at Ironbark taught me to better appreciate the little things in life and show more gratitude. I surprised myself with my ability to be able to complete tasks that I previously thought I wouldn’t be able to do, for example the four-day hike and Jacob’s Ladder heights activity.”
For Matthew, who grew up on a beef cattle property at Jandowae, near Dalby, his role allows him to share the lifestyle he grew up with, with students from the city.
“I think that’s very important because a lot of families now don’t have a connection to a farm. It’s also seeing the kids really grow across the five weeks and achieve things that they didn’t think they could do through perseverance and a bit of resilience. When they walk out of here, there’s that real sense of achievement and being willing to tackle new challenges. That’s the rewarding part for us,” Matthew says, who manages 50 to 60 students at a time, as well as 20 staff that assist with catering, farm management and outdoor adventure instruction.
The Ironbark St Peters Outdoor Education Centre property has a range of horseriding, running and hiking trails along with the working farm, which has a dairy, piggery, beef cattle, horses and chickens.
“The kids are involved in activities that help them understand more about their character essentially. There’s a range of challenges they’re going to work through — physical challenges, working in groups and living in the dormitory,” he adds.
Students have rostered activities both in the morning and afternoon such as collecting eggs from 60 ISA Brown hens, feeding and caring for livestock, tending the vegetable garden, cleaning the dormitory or chopping firewood. They also help prepare meals and experience the full paddock-to-plate approach with eggs, vegetables, milk and meat grown on the farm.
Fifteen-year-old day student Oliver Pesce from Brisbane appreciated the different lifestyle during his stay. “Personally, I liked the general work and maintenance around the farm. I really liked that you could get closer with the farm staff and listen to their stories. They live a very different life from ours and I love connecting with them,” he says. >
“Being at Ironbark taught me to better appreciate the little things in life and show more gratitude.”
The Ironbark program has provided many defining memories for students over the past four decades as they transition to early adulthood, since the initial 32 hectares was gifted to the college.
“All of these experiences are set up in a way for the kids to see how they respond to the different activities and opportunities. There’s a lot of personal reflection that takes place throughout so they can identify their strengths, but also to do things that they struggle with,” Matthew says.
Another aspect is the development of social maturity as students overcome the challenges of working and living together and being away from home for an extended period. During their time at the property, students also have eight nights camping and a four-day hiking expedition.
Fourteen-year-old boarder Terri Zhu from Shanghai, China, welcomed the opportunity to participate. “I have learnt a lot. Not only did I improve myself but I also learnt how to deal with interpersonal relationships better. In life, there will always be times when we need to ask for help from others and times when we need to help others. It’s important to try your best no matter what,” she says.
Terri’s favourite part was the 24-hour solo activity in the last week, by which time students have the skills, confidence and self-belief to camp alone on the property.
The unique Ironbark program allows participants to apply their personal development to future situations in life.
For more information, visit stpeters.qld.edu.au