Virtual students gain hands-on agriculture experience

She accompanied a group of more than 30 agriculture students from Virtual Schools Victoria on a two-day visit to the Goulburn Valley last week.

Virtual Schools Victoria is an online school designed for students who are unable to attend full-time mainstream schooling.

This could be for various reasons, including medical issues or participating in elite sport.

The school also provides VCE students with the choice of additional subjects that are not offered at their school.

According to Ms Nicholls this is particularly beneficial for those wanting to study agriculture, as it is not a subject offered by many schools.

According to the school, 7000 students were enrolled in 2025, ranging from Prep to Year 12.

The students, from all over Victoria, were based at Melbourne University’s Dookie campus during the trip. There they looked at research about tractors and completed laboratory work based around dairy.

They also spoke with current students at the college about career pathways.

They also visited Toland’s Poll Merinos in Violet Town where they learnt about drenching and drafting sheep, as well as shearing and classing of wool.

“To be able to handle sheep and be around them is a highlight for our students,” Ms Nicholls said.

“They don’t always want to be sitting in front of a computer.”

After undertaking the trip, Ms Nicholls said many students were excited about their future.

She said the trip provided many students with the opportunity to explore the job opportunities available in the agricultural industry.

She said it was crucial to encourage more young people to enter the agricultural industry.

“Anything that you do or touch or feel or eat comes from agriculture,” she said.

“Without agriculture we’d be lost.”