The Regional Engagement Enterprise

Plenty of action this week in TREE across both the Prep and the Senior School

As always, check out our blog theregionalengagemententerprise.com or our Instagram (tree_kws) to find out more.

Amazing Farm Race

Our 5.1 and 5.2 Year 8 Mathematics classes have spent the last two weeks participating in the ‘Amazing Farm Race’. Like the game show, the students receive an envelope each day with a series of mathematical challenges based on the information they gleaned from a visit to the school’s newest farm (Windermere) and from analysing the map on avenza maps. The students had to calculate rates, ratios, areas, perimeters and volumes before presenting to their peers on how best to stock the farm. The winning teams expertly argued for water troughs, diversified income streams (fruit and vegetables for the boarders) and reasoned stocking rates (of merino sheep and angus cattle).

TREEnglish

Our Year 9 TREEnglish unit has begun with a bang. For the first 3-weeks of term the students analysed sustainability through different media (documentaries, ted-ED talks and magazines) before being introduced to the concept by co-founder of MSM Milling, Peter MacSmith. The students then self-elected a special interest group from viticulture, paddock to plate, regional wellbeing, Orange 360 and agri-innovation. Within these groups the students will analyse their role in cultural, social and environmental sustainability in the Central West. Week 4 consisted of a series of excursions for each group to Ross Hill Wines, The Regional Museum, Headspace, Cargo Road Winery, Agritechnology and Bralca. Stay tuned for our local mentor visits to school in Week 5!

Honey with Year 1

As part of their investigation into mini-beasts, Year 1 were visited by local company Australian Queen Bee Line. Charlie, Brenda and Sharon showed the students a full hive (without any bees) before cutting off the wax with a hot knife and extracting the honey in a centrifuge. The final testing got a big thumbs up from the students!

Archibull update

Our Archibull submission continues to grow as we head towards the deadline (20th September). Year 8 have been busy knitting, building the stage (catwalk) for the cow and learning about the impact of climate change, biosecurity and food security in the wool industry.

Filtration with Year 5

As part of our on-going unit on water Year 5 spent a double period last week investigating filtration. This continued from their research project on the issues surrounding unclean water sources. For their filtration investigation, the students investigated the efficacy of different filtration materials (chux, pebbles, sand, newspaper, cotton wool, gravel etc) before writing up their findings per the scientific method. They then had free rein to build their own filtration column using a mixture of media and the information they had gleaned from the primary investigation. The winners managed to filter water to almost drinking standard which is amazing given they are only household items!

Mr Tom Riley

Director of TREE