Stage 4 Food Technology – Cooking Up Success!

Last term, our Stage 4 Food Technology students showcased impressive skills in the kitchen, exploring a wide variety of recipes and flavours. They began the term mastering everyday favourites such as chicken Caesar salad wraps and garlic potato wedges, building confidence in safe food preparation and teamwork. Students also enjoyed making banana muffins, learning about accurate measuring and the science behind baking.

The highlight of the term was the Burger Assessment Task, where every student designed and cooked their own gourmet burger from scratch. From creative flavour combinations to presentation on the plate, students demonstrated flair, independence, and growing culinary skill. The results were mouth-watering, with many students proudly sharing their creations with classmates and staff.

This term, the focus shifts to dairy products — exploring how ingredients like milk, cheese, cream, and yoghurt are used in everyday cooking. Students will prepare dishes such as creamy chicken pasta, blueberry ricotta pancakes, and a hearty lasagna, applying both practical and theoretical knowledge about nutrition and food science.

To finish the unit, students will take on a fun smoothie design challenge, creating their own recipes that incorporate healthy ingredients and balanced flavours. It promises to be another exciting and delicious term in Food Technology, as students continue developing confidence, creativity, and a passion for cooking.

ADF Work Experience Excursion

Over three days, nine Boorowa Central School students had the opportunity to experience life in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), travelling between three Naval bases and exploring the local area. The Year 9 to Year 11 students, accompanied by Mr Jones and Mrs White, departed for Nowra on Tuesday to visit HMAS Albatross. On the way, they stopped at Fitzroy Falls to take in the view.

Upon arrival at HMAS Albatross, students saw military personnel and helicopters as they made their way to their accommodation. After a debrief and room assignments, they had dinner in the mess hall alongside serving members. The evening finished with games in the recreation room and trivia in the accommodation block before turning in for the night.

Wednesday began early, with students rising at 0600h and having breakfast at 0700h in the mess hall. Afterwards, they visited the Fleet Air Arm Museum, where retired sailors gave a presentation about life working with Navy aircraft. Students then explored the museum and viewed the various aircraft used by the Royal Australian Navy over the decades.

Next, they travelled to the School of Survivability and Ship’s Safety—commonly known as the School of 4 S’s. After a short briefing, students suited up in firefighting gear and toured the training facilities used by recruits learning ship survival skills. They witnessed a ship fire simulation and even had the chance to extinguish a fire themselves with the guidance of Petty Officer Mitchell.

Students then headed to HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay for lunch and some time at Captain’s Beach, noting how different the two bases were. Back at HMAS Albatross, they attended a presentation by two Boatswain’s Mates—sailors who specialise in seamanship, ship maintenance, and the operation of weapons. Due to security restrictions, photos weren’t permitted, but students learned about the different classes of ships, the daily duties of Boatswain’s Mates, and even handled unloaded weapons.

The afternoon continued with students testing their paratrooping skills in a virtual reality parachuting simulator. These multi-million-dollar simulators allowed students to experience the full process of a parachute jump—pulling their own ripcord, steering, and landing safely. Many students said this and the 4 S’s experience were their favourite parts of the trip. After a short drive back to Jervis Bay for some beach time, everyone returned to HMAS Albatross for dinner, games, and a well-earned rest.

Thursday was another early start, but spirits were high with the promise of a pancake breakfast. The group then travelled to HMAS Penguin in Sydney, where students met Naval Officers who work in oceanography and meteorology. This was particularly engaging for students pursuing STEM pathways, who asked many insightful questions. They also examined the specialised equipment used for navigation and weather analysis. Although some planned activities were cancelled due to operational changes, students appreciated the opportunity to speak informally with officers over lunch in the mess hall. After a quick stop to admire Sydney Harbour, the group began their journey home.

Our students were excellent representatives of Boorowa Central School. Their manners, enthusiasm, and engagement stood out throughout the trip. We are proud of how well they represented our school and hope this experience has inspired them to consider future careers in the ADF or STEM fields.

Mrs White – Organising teacher

Respectful Relationships Education (RRE)

The RRE team have been busy!

In Term 3 select students in primary and secondary school were involved in student focus groups where they were asked questions about respect, teaching and learning in their classroom and how they interact with other students. An overwhelming amount of students indicated that they feel safe, supported and respected at Boorowa Central School. Students gave excellent definitions of respect and provided great examples of respectful behaviours.

On the Term 4 Staff Development Day, primary, secondary and SLSO staff engaged in professional learning about collaborative teaching strategies to promote student communication skills and provide opportunities to work productively and collaboratively with one another. On Tuesday Week 1, students were explicitly taught the skills required to engage in a Think, Paire and Share strategy. Students are provided with independent time to think about a topic, time to pair with a peer and then time to share their own and their peers ideas to the class. From all reports from staff students have been engaging well and sharing lots of insightful ideas about new topics.

During Term 3, we ran an initiative called Wellbeing Wednesday, in the daily notices students, staff, parents and carers were informed about themes related to respectful relationships. Students were provided challenges to find mystery envelopes and solve the puzzles. Well done to the students who got involved!

Across primary and secondary school teachers in the PDHPE KLA are trialling lesson plans and resources for the Department of Education RRE team. Lots of new and exciting teaching methods being trialled and incorporated into teaching and learning programs at Boorowa Central School.

In Week 7 this term Mr Jones, Mrs McGrath, Miss Bromfield and Mrs Riles will be heading to Taronga Zoo in Sydney to present to the other 12 Case Study schools about the data we have collected, the strategies we have implemented and share practice with other schools to further enhance our school learning environment.

Most excitingly, we will continue our involvement in RRE into 2026 as a pilot school. We look forward to sharing more ideas, strategies and resources with our wider school community.

Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza 2025 – Big Wins!

Last week, a group of excited Year 11 students — along with one very brave Year 9 — packed their swags, steers, a sense of humour and hit the road for the 2025 Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza. Over five massive days, the team represented Boorowa Central School in one of the most competitive cattle events in the state — featuring 120 exhibitors, including over 50 schools and 750 competing students. Competitors came from all over New South Wales chasing a champion ribbon.

After rolling out of Boorowa on Thursday morning, the team made their way to Scone with a bus full of laughs and a truckload of cattle. Stops along the way included a well-earned Macca’s break and an important life lesson from Angus: turning down the music really does help you see better while driving downhill. Once at the grounds, students unloaded, set up the stalls, and got straight to work preparing the animals for the days ahead.

Friday was all about pampering the steers and hitting the educational workshops. After fuelling up on Lila’s famous bacon and egg rolls, the students weighed in, washed, blow-dried, and clipped their animals, making sure each one looked its absolute best. The team then attended sessions on beef cuts and cattle management, gaining valuable insight into both production and presentation. Later that afternoon, Mylee and Josh took to the ring with Duke for the Steer School Shoot-Out. While they didn’t come away with a ribbon, it was great preparation for the main event.

Saturday was Duke’s moment to shine — and he didn’t disappoint. Led by Mylee, Duke took first place in the opening class of the Light Middleweight Steer division and then went on to be crowned Champion Light Middleweight Steer, beating 90 other steers from some of the biggest competitors across the state. It was a huge achievement for the team, who had spent months preparing for this very moment. That afternoon, the team took part in a massive junior judging session in the saleyards, jammed in with 500 other students, learning what it really means to assess cattle under pressure. The night finished with a well-earned barbecue dinner and some classic campfire yarns.

Sunday was all business, with a 5 a.m. start and final preparations for the Junior Judging and Paraders competitions. Josh placed 6th in the 15-year-old division, while Mylee came away with an impressive 3rd place in the 17/18-year-old category. After a heartfelt farewell to the steers, the team cleaned up their stalls, packed the trailers, and finished the day with a celebratory dinner at the local bowling club — complete with steaks, dumplings, and deep-fried ice cream.

The final night was filled with laughter, storytelling, and reflection on what had been an incredible few days. When the team finally rolled back into Boorowa, they were tired, dusty, and absolutely buzzing with pride.

Beef Bonanza 2025 wasn’t just about ribbons — it was about teamwork, dedication, early mornings, and learning every step of the way. The Show Team should be incredibly proud of themselves. Their commitment and enthusiasm continue to show just how strong the future of agriculture is at Boorowa Central School.

A special shout-out to Mrs Taylor for looking after everyone and cheering them on in the paraders’ heats — our biggest fan!

Wellbeing Matters