Surveys

We are always looking at ways to improve the College and use surveys as a mechanism to collect information and views from parents and students. Whilst views about how we can improve are important, it is also nice to hear about the positive views from our families.

This week I emailed a link to an online survey to the Year 10 and 11 families and reminded the Year 12 families of their survey. The survey responses are anonymous and I would urge you to invest the small amount of time to provide your views.

The Year 12 parent survey closes tonight and the Year 10 and 11 parent surveys close 6th November. Students will be provided with the survey during class so we can capture as many responses as possible.

Graduation and Prize Day

Our Year 12 Graduation and Prize Day is scheduled for Friday 11th November at 2.30pm. This is an occasion for us to farewell our Year 12s and to recognise high performance across all years.

Year 12 parents will be invited with limits on numbers and all information will be going out in the next week or two. Year 10 and 11 students who will be receiving awards and their parents will be invited. The rest of the Year 10s and 11s can watch the ceremony via the live stream in one of our classrooms or can elect to attend. Our aim is to reduce the numbers of Year 10 and 11 students and family so we can maximise the numbers of Year 12 family members attending.

Mobile Phones

We currently have a Mobile Policy which states that mobile phones (and other devices) are not to be seen, used or heard during the school day. Despite all students being explicitly taught what this means, we are still having issues with students using their phones during the day. Given that the current Mobile Policy rules mean that students cannot use their phones during the day, there appears no need to have their phones on them. I am interested in views from parents and exploring the proposition of banning phones from the school day. If you have an opinion either way, I’d like to hear it.

Brunswick Show

This weekend at the Brunswick Show we have our Cattle Club students competing in various dairy cattle leading and judging events. We also have trade cattle and sheep competing, so if you are at the show, drop in and say hello and support our students.

Machinery Trust Fund

Members of our College Community may be aware that we contribute 40% of our Farm revenue to a Central Fund which then provides funds to agricultural schools and colleges in the wider system. Each year we apply for funding and this year we were successful in securing funding for the following projects.

Road-works around main laneways.
Shade shelter over the sheep yards.
Horticulture irrigation modernization and upgrade.
Centre pivot overhaul.
Six seat RTV and spray rig.
Introduction of Guernsey genetics to the dairy.

These projects will roll out over the next few months and we are really pleased to be continuing to ensure our students have access to safe, modern and industry standard facilities.

Trades Timetabling

In the past we have tried to accommodate Year 12 student preferences for the four Trade areas, but we are finding it increasingly difficult to do this whilst maintaining workable class sizes.

This year we have had large class sizes, particularly in Metal and Auto and student survey responses indicated this as a concern to them. Next year we are likely to rotate the Year 12s through all four Trade areas, as we do in Year 10 and 11. This will have the effect of creating smaller class sizes and so increase student access to workshop resources and staff assistance. It will also have the effect of maintaining a broad training approach taking in all Trade areas, just as we do on Farm and Class.

Yesterday, I was made aware of chatter around the College amongst students about a member of staff's personal health. It is disappointing that someone, other than the staff member concerned, has chosen to share personal information with students but pleasing that most students’ reactions have been to enquire if the staff member is okay. We are managing work arrangements to ensure that the staff member is safe and that student learning is not impacted, nor put at any risk. If the staff member chooses to share information about their health that is relevant to the work/learning context, they are welcome to do so.

Have a great weekend

Steve

HARVEY AG WEEKLY WRAP-UP

"Excellence and Innovation in Agricultural Education"

Issue 32 · 21 Oct 2022

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