The Regional Engagement Enterprise

Whilst we are under existing COVID restrictions our students are unable to continue with their TREE Internships out in the community, however some students have been lucky enough to continue working with their hosts remotely.  We are so grateful to our community for allowing our students opportunities with such rich and rewarding experiences. Below is a report from one of our interns, Bella Sinclair.

TREE Internship at Incy Interiors

From Bella Sinclair

The day that Mrs Gavin and Ms Youll spoke to Year 10 about the TREE internships, I knew it was for me. The process of applying was very clear and easy to follow. I started by writing an application form, followed by an interview hosted by Mrs Gavin and Ms Youll. During the interview, I was asked questions about what attributes I had to offer the workplace and how this would aid in making me a suitable candidate for the TREE internship.  

When I received the email that I was to intern at Incy Interiors (a locally owned furniture company that has now gone international) I was so excited to meet the team and learn all about the business world. 

During the internship, I have been looking at areas of marketing, working with their marketing manager, Jacqui Hayes. She has been incredible to me, explaining how the business works and the importance of marketing for businesses. 

I have now been to Incy’s office three times and worked with the team in remote learning as well. What I have learned through this process are things that I will always keep with me. I am very grateful for this opportunity as it has opened my eyes to new career paths. I am very excited to keep learning new things from Jacqui and the team at Incy Interiors and to see where this internship will lead me in the future. 

Term 4 Junior School Windermere Update

We are so lucky to have our Windermere Campus so accessible.  The ability to jump on the bus and within 10 minutes have our students ready and immersed in hands on, rich learning experiences is such a benefit to our inquiry-based learning programs.  All our Junior School class groups have started on their Term 4 Windermere projects. 

Kindergarten are learning all about different types of shelters.  They have investigated the shelters that keep our animals safe at Windermere and have even started building their own shelter to house the newly hatched chicks.

Year 1 are learning all about Living Things, gathering data on types and numbers of insects in different ecosystems at the farm, planting new seedlings and digging up bones of things that were once living.

Year 2 are studying all about natural resources and how we can enhance the use of solar, wind and water power at Windermere.  Water is a resource that is often in short supply and Year 2 have been discussing the benefits of contour gardening to capture as much as possible.  The solar panels on the chicken caravan also play an important role in harnessing a resource that we have in abundance to keep our chickens safe.  Year 2 have been collecting eggs and planting out new seedlings in the market garden.

Year 3 had a visit to Windermere last week and were able to churn their own butter, using the force generated with shaking a jar of cream with a couple of marbles. This process physically agitates the cream until it ruptures the fragile membranes surrounding the milk fat. Once broken, the fat droplets can join with each other and form clumps of fat, or butter grains. The students (and staff) were amazed at how quickly the students were able to turn the cream into butter.  This butter was then used to spread generously on jacket potatoes that the students had cooking in the open fire. YUM!

Year 4 are undertaking a STEM unit on chickens.  This week they will head out to Windermere to investigate the workings of the chicken caravan.  They will also be hosting the next round of incubating eggs in their classroom.

Year 5 are heading out this Thursday to make scones on the camp fire.  Not only will they apply their culinary skills,  they will also investigate the science behind heat and energy.

Year 6 have been spending their time at Windermere learning all about sheep in a paddock to plate and wardrobe unit.  They have assisted in a health check of the sheep, looking at their feet, bottoms and fleece to determine the treatments that the sheep require.  They have made sausages from a freshly processed lamb and have enjoyed the fruits of their labour on an open fire at Windermere. Year 6 will move onto the uses and benefits of fibre over the coming weeks. 

Windermere Case Study for our senior Business Studies Students

As part of the HSC Business Studies syllabus students have to investigate and apply real business case studies to the content which is covered in the syllabus. Our sheep operation at Windermere is an excellent inclusion for these students to see first-hand what the inputs, processes, layout, scheduling and monitoring of a small farm operation looks like.  Not only can they see the application of the theory in real time they can also assess and recommend strategies to improve the production and efficiency of the operations.  This allows these students to forge strong relational connections between theory and practice, no doubt making their extended responses more detailed and relevant. Both of the 2022 HSC Business Studies classes have been out to the farm studying the Operations so that they can apply this knowledge to their first HSC assessment task this term.  These students will continue to develop Windermere as a case study as they move onto Finance, Marketing and Human Resources over the coming year.

Year 12 Wellbeing Picnic

Many of our outgoing Yr 12 students took the opportunity to have a study break at Windermere last week. It was a glorious day for a picnic and snuggle with the pigs and the opportunity to slow down and soak in some much-needed Vitamin D and reconnect with nature.  Our Yr 11 Hospitality students catered for the picnic with warm gooey choc chip cookies and a delicious chicken schnitzel and salad focaccia. I’d like to wish our HSC students all the best as they commence their exams in the coming weeks.