Furry friends in focus
ANIMAL husbandry was introduced as a new elective subject for Year 9 and 10 Dominic College students this year.
Participating students are required to keep and care for an animal which becomes their focus of study throughout the course of the year.
Some students elect to focus on small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, lizards and chickens, while others choose larger animals such as ponies, sheep, goats, donkeys, cows or alpacas. Specialised pens have been built, including cages for the smaller animals.
Year 9 student Molly Gargett was given an orphaned lamb from a local farm. Taking part in the animal husbandry course has allowed her to feed and take care of her lamb, making sure it is growing and in good health.
“The teachers help us take care of our animals. They encourage us and allocate us responsibilities,” Molly said,
“Because we get to choose the animal around which our learning is based, it makes us want to learn as much as we can. Every student feels included,” she said.
Fellow student Bella Lee said she was excited by new experiences and learning opportunities. “I have ponies at the moment but hopefully will take care of different animals next year.”
The animal husbandry elective has been a hit with all students, even with those who are not taking the course.
Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 have specialised science classes with the animals, while other students took part in this year’s Royal Hobart Show and enjoyed the process of presenting their animals to the wider community.
This Mercury School Page was produced by Grade 9/10 students enrolled in commerce, creative writing and media arts at Dominic College, Glenorchy.