Farm
Welcome back!
Farm staff would like to welcome the Year 12s back for a very busy year and say a big hello to all the new Year 11 students. We are once again looking forward to a productive year, with skills gained and honed, competencies completed, team building within groups and a bit of hard work. Our aim is to have enthusiastic, competent, work-ready young adults leaving us at the end of Year 12.
Year 11 Inductions
To ensure students and staff remain safe on the farm, all Year 11s complete intensive inductions for the first week they are rostered on. This includes induction information surrounding Work Health and Safety, driving policies, student protocols, uniforms, safe work procedures, biosecurity, workshop safety, cattle yard operation and tractor safety.
Some students have been straight to the shearing shed and started their farm journey learning about shearing. Once inductions are complete, students will be out and about in all areas of the farm having fun and learning along the way. We hope that all Year 11s will enjoy their time on farm and seize all opportunities that arise.
Grains
After a successful harvest we are now preparing the paddocks for seeding with lime and gypsum being spread for the next few weeks. Some of the Cert III in Agriculture - cropping students will get a chance to jump in the 9R to gain some practical experience in this area.
Sheep
Shearing has officially commenced for the term, and our year 12 students are back on the board getting stuck into practical training with our purple-tag Merino ewes. Over the coming weeks they’ll be developing their skills in a hands-on environment, focusing on technique, safety, animal welfare, and efficiency. Certificate III in Wool Handling and Certificate II in Shearing students will be in full swing from next week.
Year 11 inductions are also underway, getting them started with preparing handpieces and getting used to the feel of the sheep to start shearing!
Wagin Woolorama
The Woolorama is coming up on March 7 with events including:
Meat sheep judging
Fleece judging
Shearing
Wool handling
Cattle judging
Grain judging
If students are interested in competing in any of these events, please contact Miss Baker (sheep and wool events), Mrs Moore (cattle judging) or Mr de Beer (grain judging).
If you put your name down to compete, please ensure all of the relevant Consent2Go information is completed as soon as it is received. If you do not get parent consent prior to the cut-off date, you will be unable to attend.
Excursions
We try our hardest to be able to attend any events that will complement the learning that students receive at the College. We can't attend all events, though we attempt to be involved in events that are close to home.
Please ensure that if students wish to attend excursion, that their consent is completed before the cut-off date on Consent2Go. Students who do not have parent consent by the excursion closing date, will not be able to attend.
Uniform
Please remember to bring a hat as part of your Farm uniform. It is still a bit warm, and the UV factor is very high. All students have had a reminder about not wearing jewellery on Farm, so students turning up wearing necklaces, bracelets, rings and/or dangly earrings (sleepers or studs allowed) will have them confiscated at roll call, and the items will be given to Ms KV in residential for collection at the end of the day. Jewellery confiscations will result in a uniform infringement entry on Compass. If confiscations continue to occur for individuals, this may incur a demerit. We are promoting a safe workplace, and jewellery is a leading cause of injury in workplaces that involve manual activities.
Weekend duty
Don't forget to check when you are rostered for weekend duty. Year 11s will start being rostered from Week 6. This will give them a chance to get to know their way around the farm beforehand.
Coming up:
Saturday February 14 - Isabel, Nell, Darrius, Max
Sunday February 15 - Lilli, Trey, Cassie, Nate
February 21 and 22 - Mason (Sunday), Zaine, and Jyse (I need another volunteer for this weekend)
28 February and 1 March - Closed weekend
Mrs Kylie Iles
Assistant Farm Manager