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Bush Fire Response

Study specific advice

VCE Agricultural and Horticultural Studies

Students undertake a small business project as an Extended Coursework task which is commenced in Unit 3 Outcome 3 and completed in Unit 4 Outcome 1. This requires students to ‘design and implement a business plan for a small commercial agricultural or horticultural business project that involves the management and care of living plants or animals’. The task comprises three components:

1. a written business plan
2. production work and record of production
3. an interim report on the progress of the small business.

The bushfires may have an impact on available resources. Strategies for teachers could include the following:

• The scale of the small business could be reduced while still allowing students to demonstrate the outcomes.
• The type of small business selected may need careful consideration to ensure manageability within the timeframe and availability of other resources such as land and water.
• Production could be conducted in an alternative location, although the teacher will still need to authenticate student work.

Enquiries about VCE Agricultural and Horticultural Studies may be directed to Ms Lorraine Tran, Curriculum Manager, Technology on (03) 9651 4407.

VCE Environmental Science

The bushfires may impact on this study, depending on the nature of the practical activities planned by students. Two assessment tasks related to Outcomes 2 and 3 in Unit 3 Area of Study 2: Diversity in the biosphere may involve data collected by students in a particular environment. In one task, students are required to describe the characteristics of biodiversity, and evaluate strategies to reduce the effects of threatening processes on one selected endangered animal. The second task involves students explaining how scientific data is applied to the assessment of environmental risk for ensuring biodiversity. Strategies for teachers could include the following:

• Second-hand data may be used for any of/all these tasks.
• Teachers may seek alternative environments in which to collect data for any of/all these tasks.
• Collaboration with other teachers/schools may provide opportunities for resource sharing and outsourcing activities.

Enquiries about VCE Environmental Science may be directed to Ms Maria James, Curriculum Manager, Science on (03) 9651 4655.

VCE Geography

Unit 3 Area of Study 2: Use and management of local resources requires students to conduct fieldwork at a local site to observe and record data on the geographic characteristics of a resource. The data collected in the field provides the basis for processing, representation, analysis and interpretation.

Teachers who normally conduct fieldwork in areas that have been affected by bushfires may choose to:

• conduct fieldwork at an alternative site
• conduct fieldwork at a later date and apply for an extension of time as indicated above.

The Geography Teachers Association of Victoria (GTAV) is happy to provide teachers with additional information and resources to conduct alternative fieldwork and/or put teachers in touch with colleagues who will support them. For further information teachers can contact Education Officer, Adriana Abels via email eo@gtav.asn.au or telephone (03) 9824 8355

Enquiries about VCE Geography may be directed to Ms Pat Hincks, Curriculum Manager Humanities on (03) 9651 4439.

VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies

VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies requires students to undertake a minimum of 20 hours practical outdoor activities in Units 1–4. The practical work is in the form of outdoor experiences such as camping, cycle touring, bushwalking or conservation activities.

The assessment of VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies requires students to use information gained during these outdoor experiences in both School-assessed Coursework (SACs) and the end-of-year examination.

Strategies for teachers could include the following:

• If teachers were planning to meet the 20 hours of practical outdoor experiences by taking students on extended excursions such as camps, consider meeting that requirement by using the local area if appropriate or undertaking day trips.
• Parks Victoria has a useful website which can help teachers find an alternative location as it provides information on the current status of all Victorian state and national parks.
• The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Safety Guidelines for Education Outdoors provides information on the student safety and risk management in relation to camps and excursions.

Concerns about meeting the requirement for 20 hours of practical outdoor activities or other enquiries about VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies may be directed to Ms Nerida Matthews, Curriculum Manager, Health and Physical Education on (03) 9651 4444.

VCAL

If students and teachers are experiencing difficulties meeting any VCAL course requirements please contact the VCAL Unit on (03) 9651 4435 or email: vcaa.vcal@edumail.vic.gov.au

VCE VET

There may be an impact on training and assessment of VCE VET Agriculture, Conservation and Land Management, Production Horticulture, Outdoor Recreation, Community Recreation and Equine Industry.

Other programs that may be affected include Building and Construction, Automotive, Engineering, Hospitality and programs that have structured workplace learning as a strongly recommended component.

If students and teachers are experiencing difficulties meeting these or other VET program requirements please contact the VET Unit on (03) 9651 4458.

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