Plan Your School Program
EXCURSION INFORMATION
The following information will help you plan your day at Common Ground Project.
Please contact the School Programs Team for any further questions by calling (03) 5264 5082 or emailing us at programs@commongroundproject.com.au
Our School Programs are designed as outdoor all-weather experiences; students will need appropriate clothing for weather conditions. This could include a raincoat, gumboots, hat and sun protection.
Costs for Students
Half day: 10:00am - 1:00pm $400 + GST per group (maximum group size is 25 students).
Costs for Teachers
Teachers and adult helpers are free of charge within the program’s recommended student to adult ratio.
Running Times
Please note: Running times are approximate and subject to change should your school arrive late for any reason.
Welcome and Introductions – 20 mins
Interactive Farm Tour – 60 mins
Break – 20 mins
Hands-on Workshop – 60 mins
Reflection – 20 mins
OPTIONAL: Schools are welcome to stay for lunch at the conclusion of the program.
School Program Agreement
Before booking a School Program at Common Ground Project, please make sure you have read our School Programs Agreement.
Payment and cancellation
An invoice will be sent via Xero on the day you receive your booking confirmation. Invoices must be paid prior to your School Program.
Common Ground Project Limited ABN is 78 632 729 634
Payment must be made in one transaction.
Cancellation and Reschedule Policy
Cancellations:
School Programs cancelled at least 30 days prior to the event date will be given a full refund.
Cancellations between 14 and 30 days prior to the event date incur a 50% cancellation fee.
School Programs cancelled within 14 days of the date incur a 100% cancellation fee.
Rescheduling Your School Program:
Bookings at least 30 days prior to the event date may be rescheduled without a fee.
Rescheduling between 14 and 30 days prior to the event date will incur a 30% rebooking fee.
Bookings cannot be rescheduled within 14 days of the event date.
All fees will be waived if the cancellation or reschedule is due to extreme weather as per our Extreme Weather and Cancellation Policy.
Weather & Extreme Conditions
Please ensure students dress appropriately for all outdoor weather conditions. We suggest wearing waterproof and sun-smart clothing, including; a rain jacket, hat, sunscreen, closed-toe shoes, pants and comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. Please note: to protect yourself on the farm, you must wear closed-toed shoes. Flat boots or gumboots are suitable, especially when it rains.
Common Ground Project is an outdoor venue; please plan your visit accordingly and ensure students wear weather-appropriate clothing.
Inclement weather is not considered reasonable grounds for cancellation or to reschedule.
Common Ground Project treats the health, wellbeing and safety of its visitors, volunteers, employees and animals with the utmost importance.
In the event that:
temperatures exceed 35℃
an extreme weather warning has been issued
EPA AirWatch rates air quality as ‘hazardous’
CGP deems conditions to be unsafe.
Common Ground Project’s Extreme Weather Policy will come into effect and all onsite activities (including school excursions) will be cancelled. A representative from Common Ground Project will contact you if your booking is forecasted to be impacted.
You may not reschedule / cancel your booking after the booked activity begins.
Getting here and bus parking
Location
675 Anglesea Rd, Freshwater Creek VIC 3217
Please turn off Anglesea Rd and enter the Farm via Dickins Rd. Bus drop off and pick up is in front of the main building onsite. There will be a sign indicated Bus Drop Off Location.
https://goo.gl/maps/PmsTtTnXh5tcU1mY6
Bus parking
Buses can park onsite, along the left side of the drive way.
Before you visit
Explore our website with your students to give them an insight into what Common Ground Project is.
When you arrive
Please meet us at the front of our onsite restaurant, La Cantina.
Storage
Bags will be stored at your ‘homebase’, on arrival our educators will take you there. Ensure all food is secured in bags or lunch boxes (or our very friendly but cheeky birds may decide to help themselves). Please keep your valuables with you.Waste
Food waste buckets will be provided for schools to use throughout the day and this waste will be compost onsite. We ask that all other waste is take home.
Supervision
Please consider the following guidelines:Children and students remain the responsibility of the teacher at all times
Groups are asked to move through the farm respectfully and consider animals and members of the community.
Ratios
Due to the nature of Common Ground Project site, we suggest the following ratios;
Early Learning & Kindergarten | 1 adult : 3 children
Foundation - Year 2 | 1 adult : 5 students
Year 3 - Year 12 | 1 adult : 10 students
Tertiary | 1 adult : 1 adult : 10 students
Social Script
If you have students that may benefit from additional information about the happenings at Common Ground Project and what your day may look like, please email us at programs@commongroundproject.com and we can provide you with some extra information to assist in your planning and conversations with them.
Contact Us
Please contact the School Programs team for any further questions by calling (03) 5264 5082 or emailing programs@commongroundproject.com.au