Tanisha makes a splash in the pond as Bethany looks on. 72760 Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Stephanie Kenez
A FROG-friendly curriculum will leap into action at Cranbourne West Primary School now that construction of their $28,000 frog pond is complete.
Principal Andrew Bergmeier said the pond would be an outdoor classroom for the students and used as part of their global citizens and local citizens program. “We plan to use it on a daily basis for a number of activities,” Mr Bergmeier said.
“It would be a waste of space if it was only there for show.”
The pond will be a long-term learning project for the children as the habitat continues to change character.
“The students will be able to observe, maintain and have ownership over the pond.
“They were involved in planting out the area around the pond and they will be involved with mulching and introducing water plants…they will be able to put their own stamp on it,” he said.
Mr Bergmeier said the project had been very exciting for the students and they were looking forward to seeing some frogs soon.
“The frogs are still finding their field of dreams, I believe that’s what happens; they come along once the environment is there for them,” he said.
The school came up with the idea for the 40-metre-long pond about 18 months ago.
It was put into action and funded through a community partnership, with residential developer Alarah in association with Wolfdene property development.
