The Regional Engagement Enterprise

It has been a busy 2-weeks in TREE as we hit the ground running in Term 3.

As always, for more information follow us on Instagram (tree_kws) and visit our blog (theregionalengagemententerprise.com)

During Week 2 our Year 11 Chemistry students visited Billimari Olive processing plant and MSM Milling Canola oil processing plant at Manildra as part of their ChemisTREE depth study. The students compared the boutique La Barre olive oil processing plant with the large-scale canola oil and meal processing plant at MSM. Students were comparing the chemical and physical separation techniques, as well as the testing, monitoring and management of chemical processes, such as gas chromatography, titration and gravimetric analysis. They are using the excursion as a basis for a depth study, where they choose one aspect from the excursion and produce a learning product (for example, a report, movie or presentation) for assessment to show their understanding of Chemistry in an industrial context.

Additionally, our Year 11 Biology students visited the school’s new farm (Windermere) to conduct an ecological depth study. The students began the day with in-depth lectures from local soil scientist and KWS parent David McKenzie and a botany lecture from Landcare representative Sue Wakefield.

Following this the students captured data on abiotic and biotic factors along 3 different 400m transects. The students tested water, collected rock samples, investigated the soil quality and measured the biodiversity using quadrats. The students will use this data to complete a depth study report for which they have 10 options focussed on ecology, geology, farm management and diversified options for the farm (viticulture, cherries and olives).

Year 1’s dung beetle house was officially opened by Landcare representative and KWS parent, Sally Kirby. Sally kindly kept 100 dung beetles alive for us over the break and they were released into their new house for the students to see. Over the next 6 months Year 1 will feed the dung beetles weekly and submit photos of their progress. The hope is that the colony will grow sufficiently for us to move them out to the school farms.

Our inaugural Wether team prepared for their upcoming visit to Dubbo with a visit to Roseville Park Merino Stud. Current parents Matthew and Cherie Coddington kindly delivered lessons on judging, low stress stock movement, wool judging, prep and handling for the show. The students even got an impromptu lesson on fleece judging from Elders representative Kevin.

Our Cattle Team attended ARC’s Junior Judging Workshop in Eugowra last week in preparation for upcoming shows in Parkes, Manildra and Scone. Taylah, Hamish, Lachie and Hugo were involved in workshops on judging cattle, dairy cattle, wool, meat, sheep, grain and produce. Taylah and Lachie made the top 10 in grain and Hamish in wool!

Tom Riley

Director of TREE