PRINCIPAL

Country Week

Week 10 of last term saw a highly successful Country Week. I would like to congratulate our students and staff on the way they represented WA College of Agriculture – Harvey.

While results on the sporting field are always pleasing, what impressed me most was the sportsmanship, behaviour, presentation, and positive attitude displayed throughout the week. Our students consistently demonstrated respect for their College and took pride in the way they represented it.

Thank you also to the staff who gave up their time to ensure our students had such a rewarding and memorable experience.

Driving on College Grounds

With many students returning home each Friday afternoon, I would like to remind everyone to take extra care when moving through the College car park. Recent observations have highlighted a number of vehicles travelling too quickly. The safety of our students, staff, and visitors must remain our highest priority, so please slow down, remain vigilant, and be mindful of others.

Car Park

You may also have noticed our new line marking in the car park. The area immediately outside the Administration building is designated bus parking only and should not be used for student pick-up.

Parents collecting students are asked to park in the designated parking bays and wait for their child. Families arriving with trailers, horse floats, or similar vehicles are requested to continue through the car park and utilise the area in front of the bus shed while waiting. These arrangements will improve traffic flow and, more importantly, help keep everyone safe.

Vaping

Unfortunately, vaping continues to be a challenge facing schools across Australia, and Harvey is no exception. A number of vapes have recently been confiscated on College grounds. While much attention is rightly given to the long-term health risks associated with vaping, there is another concerning issue that many young people overlook.

When a vape is passed around a group, students are not just sharing a vape; they are sharing saliva, germs, and potentially viruses. Cold sores, influenza, COVID-19, glandular fever (mononucleosis), and strep throat can all be transmitted through a shared mouthpiece.

Put simply, if ten students use the same vape, they are effectively sharing saliva with nine other people. This presents a very real and immediate health risk, in addition to the well-documented dangers of vaping itself.

I encourage parents to continue having conversations with their children about vaping and the associated risks, particularly as many students who experiment with vaping do not fully appreciate the broader health consequences.

Farm Staff Update

As you may be aware, there have been a number of changes within our farm team this year. To ensure continuity of operations and a smooth transition into 2027, I would like to provide a brief update on current arrangements.

Matt Olde has stepped into the Farm Manager role for the remainder of 2026, providing stability and leadership across our farming operations. To support this work, Johan Haumann has returned during Term 3 to assist with transition and knowledge transfer processes, supported by Geoff Howell, ensuring valuable experience and expertise are retained as we move forward.

I would also like to formally welcome Ian Millichamp, who has recently commenced as Assistant Farm Manager. Ian will oversee our dairy and pasture operations and brings a wealth of practical experience to the role. We are pleased to have Ian join the Harvey team and look forward to the contribution he will make to the College.

Looking ahead, Term 3 promises to be an exciting and busy one. Preparations are well underway for the College Ball, while students and staff are also gearing up for Muresk/Dowerin Field Day, Farm Skills, the Perth Royal Show, and a variety of excursions, incursions and industry events. These opportunities are a significant part of the Harvey experience, providing students with valuable learning experiences.

Thank you for being part of our Harvey Ag community. It is the support, commitment, and pride shown by our students, staff, parents, and families that make this such a special place. I look forward to sharing many more successes with you over the coming months.