Woori Yallock Farm School

Welcome to Woori Yallock Farm School, a truly unique educational institution located at Church Road, 30 in Woori Yallock, Australia. Established in 1873 as a humble 'tent school' by the early settlers of the district, our school has grown to become one of the largest primary schools in the area. In 1990, the site was transformed into a 'hobby farm' setting by the secondary schools in the region, and since then, we have been offering short-term alternative programs to students facing personal, social, and academic challenges.

In collaboration with OPTIONS and Cire Training (as RTO), Woori Yallock Farm School now provides students with the opportunity to gain a nationally recognized qualification in Conservation and Land Management. Through this program, students not only acquire valuable skills but also develop self-esteem and enhance personal qualities such as social and team working skills. Most importantly, they have fun while learning.

Agriculture, outdoor, and environmental education have always been the core tools we use to re-engage disengaged students, build confidence, and improve personal attributes. Our school now boasts vegetable gardens, heritage fruit orchards, and plant nurseries where portable classrooms once stood. The bike sheds have been transformed into chook sheds, the football oval is now a wetland, and the playgrounds have been designated as a 'Land for Wildlife' area.

With a hands-on approach and our motto "A Different Way to Learn," Woori Yallock Farm School has an impressive track record of turning the tide for students. The Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management program also opens up future pathways for students. Since its trial in 2014, the majority of participants have continued their education, pursuing higher level Certificates in areas such as landscaping, agriculture, and even building and mechanics.

We do not deliver the Certificate program alone. We have maintained long-term partnerships with organizations that support our program. These partnerships, combined with our facilities including heritage buildings, plant nurseries, and themed gardens, enable us to deliver these units effectively. Our dedicated staff at OPTIONS Farm School, in partnership with Cire Training (as RTO), have developed and validated a highly contextualized Training Package.

Our program primarily runs at the Woori Yallock Farm School site, but we also organize frequent excursions to other sites. The program typically spans two school terms, but we have built flexibility into the program to ensure that all necessary academic units and practical components can be completed within at least 15 weeks. Students are generally collected from their home school in the morning and returned at the end of the school day. Please note that our Farm School bus can accommodate a maximum of 10 student passengers per program.

Referring schools pay a 'fee for service' to OPTIONS, which is set by the Department of Education and Training (DET) for each school term. This fee covers all equipment, materials, and tuition and is not passed on to students or their families. However, there is a separate $250 per student enrollment fee charged by the Registered Training Organization (Cire Training) to cover assessment, reporting, and record keeping.

For nearly three decades, Woori Yallock Farm School has been dedicated to offering a range of programs for students facing academic and social challenges. Our school provides a healthy, peaceful, and productive learning environment where students can realize their potential. Adapting to the needs of referring schools and their students, we have developed the Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management program.

Following the trial of this program since 2014, our staff believes that it is the best program ever offered at our school in terms of student outcomes. It effectively re-engages students, builds social and team working skills, increases self-esteem, and provides real pathways for future success.

Join us at Woori Yallock Farm School and embark on a transformative educational journey. Discover the joy of learning while making a positive impact on the environment and your own personal growth.