The Regional Engagement Enterprise
Geography
Our second instalment of land management and regeneration with Year 10 Geography took place on a bitterly cold day in Blayney recently. The students braved the cold, thanks to a number of fire bins, as they investigated significant gully erosion at our Blayney property, Leurella. David McKenzie, David Mitchell and David Harbison all kindly donated their time to give informative talks on soils, soil testing and agronomy respectively. Unlike the other half of the year who visited in Term 1, this cohort did not camp out and so on day 2 they visited our new farm Windermere. Here they conducted water testing, soil testing for salinity and revegetation plans.
TREEnglish
TREEnglish continues with students having visits from their local mentors. Sophie Hansen (http://local-lovely.com/) gave a brilliant lesson on how to use Instagram to promote local produce to our paddock to plate cohort. Additionally, Kate Bracks visited to compare the quality of local produce with large scale supermarket produce. In our Orange 360 group, CEO Caddie Thomas visited to explain the reasoning behind the recent rebrand from Brand Orange whilst James Robson of Ross Hills wine is scheduled to visit this week to help develop the projects of our viticulture cohort.
Maths
Our Year 8 5.3 Mathematics class has begun their amazing farm race. During their visit to the farm they worked with local surveyors Matt Forsyth and Pete Willis to understand how theodolites and GPS trackers work. They compared measurements taken with these devices to ones collected first hand and those derived from analysing Avenza maps.
Wethers
Our inaugural Wether team did fantastically well at their final competition in Dubbo. Despite the cold weather we have had, they managed to place 6th in National competition for meat. Additionally, Charlie Coddington blitzed the junior judging competition in coming 3rd (only beaten by two jackaroos in their 20s).
Cattle
Our cattle team had a fantastic day at the Parkes show in their lead up to the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza in Scone. Taylah Hobbs won champion junior parader and Lachlan Ferguson placed second in the U15 paraders.
Gourmet Burger Comp
Boarding students from the Wolaroi and PLC sites recently participated in a burger competition as a Friday night activity. The students had a variety of local produce to choose from to make their creations. Stay tuned for our cooking 101 workshop in a few weeks!
PDHPE
Our Year 7 unit on local, healthy eating has begun in PDHPE. This year, the students began by planting vegetable beds in the Wolaroi agriculture plot that we will harvest and cook in Term 4. Shortly, they will study the 100-mile diet, the issue of food miles and the need to support local producers before creating a meal sourced entirely within a 100km radius.
Soil testing with Year 3
Year 3 recently visited the science labs to test the soil they collected while on their excursion to various locations on Mount Canobolas. The students learnt how to use universal indicator and barium sulphate to measure the pH of each of the 3-locations. It was pleasing to see such good quality soils from our Kinross parents of Swinging Bridge wines and Mandagery Creek Venison!
Internships and co-curricular TREE
Year 10 students have the opportunity to apply for 8 industry internships beginning in Term 4 this year. Applications are open on FROG and due by Monday 10th September. To apply, students must write a cover letter or video themselves explaining what they are passionate about, how they have demonstrated commitment and what they hope to achieve whilst on internship.
Additionally, applications are open for students to be involved in co-curricular TREE. 20 places are available for students from Years 8-11 to form our Farmers Market Team. Interested candidates should speak with Ms Toni Bilton.
Mr Tom Riley
Director of TREE