By Callum Ludwig
The Woori Yallock Farm School’s long-standing principal is retiring, wrapping up his teaching career after over 30 years of providing a practical learning opportunity.
Principal of the Woori Yallock Farm School Peter Preuss has worked for over 40 years in education and was there for the founding of the farm school in 1992.
Mr Preuss said it started when he was seconded to work for the Australian Conservation Foundation which was located in an office in the city, but the travel was a bit of an issue.
“Somebody in the education department said ‘you know what there’s a little school that’s shut down and it’s three minutes from where you live, you are welcome to use that as your base’ so for three days a week or so I used what is now the farm school,” he said.
“About seven years into the secondment that ran out and they turned it into the farm school and they got a gig there, it was established by all the secondary schools in the area to cater for kids that were having trouble in their own schools, whether it was academic and behavioural.”
Originally, students would be taken out for a whole term full of learning at the farm school, while nowadays a different group of students attends each day of the week for two terms.
Mr Preuss said the farm school has always acted as a circuit breaker for the students.
“I can remember when I was 14 or 15, you get a bit rebellious, a little bit over it all, you want to drop out of school and think you’re immortal and all of those things where kids could go down a very slippery path,” he said.
“We would take kids to try and get them back on track, so I think we saved a lot of lives over the years, to be honest, most of them become re-engaged, and start to be a bit more focused, it’s been rewarding, although somewhat challenging, over the years.”
Students complete certificates for Work Safely (Core), Maintain the Workplace (Core), Support Natural Area Conservation, Support Nursery Work, Record Information About Country and Maintain Cultural Places throughout their farm school program.
Mr Preuss said he now meets adults out and about who recognise him from the farm school.
“I’ve lost count of them, anytime somebody that I don’t recognise comes up and introduces themselves, they say they were at the farm school back in 1995 or whatever,” he said.
“You get chatting with them and they think it was the best term they’ve ever had at school and it made a difference in their lives, that’s what’s kept me going all this time.”
“The education system should have more of these sorts of programs because they do work, a circuit breaker is what kids need rather than not having that safety net.”
Mr Preuss was also very pleased by the succession plan in place for his retirement and believes the farm school remains in good hands.
Principal of the Croydon Community School (which helps run the farm school) Bronwyn Harcourt said Peter’s contribution to the Woori Yallock Farm School is immense and unmatched.
“He has seen and worked passionately with others to drive the development of the site from a vacant, and discarded primary school into a place that has changed the lives of countless young people,” she said.
“He is a passionate member of the local community and shares his knowledge of its indigenous history, white development, and environmental importance. He certainly deserves a long and adventure-filled retirement.”
