To demonstrate their learning about bees, honey and apiculture, Year 9 Science students designed posters to educate other students about their investigation of energy transfer, how honey is produced and how organisms interact in their environment. As preparation for hosting their calves in Term 2, the Cows Create Careers class visited Byron Smethurst’s dairy farm to learn about Byron’s calf shed & calf rearing facilities. Students inspected the herringbone dairy, drafting system, cow collars to detect mating and Byron’s calving pad which featured a camera so he could check his cows on his phone at anytime. Impressed with this use of technology, students then travelled to the Whitehead family farm where Matt described his dairy structure and the systems they have in place. Students learnt about the technology employed in the rotary dairy, drafting system, milk vats and feed pad to make milking and feeding a large dairy herd as efficient as possible. Thanks to James Maxwell for organizing FM Flavoured Milks for the students to enjoy on their excursion on the last day of term. Students in the Year 7/8 Science elective class, Cows Create Careers, hosted Zoe Vogels from The Vet Group who introduced students to the difference between the digestive systems of cows and calves. Zoe gave the students pointers on how to best take care of the calves entrusted to their care next term including daily checks of eyes, ears, nose and tails. Students were also introduced to the various characteristics and features of common bacteria and viruses with Zoe's bug toys. In science this term the Year 9 students have been studying the bee-haviours of bees. We invited Denis Horne back into the classroom to pass on his knowledge and tips about beekeeping. Students were able to: remove the wax caps off the honey combs formed on the frames, spin to frames to extract the honey, sieve, taste and bottle fresh honey. Two students in each class were able to experience hands on hive exploration. Dressed ‘top-to-toe’ in beekeeping outfits they: operated the smoke machine (bee distraction), lifted the lid on the hive, separated the top ‘honey’ box from the ‘brood box’ and pulled out frames full of bees to look for the queen bee. After an informative session we have some budding beekeepers in our midst – thanks Mr Horne! The Year 7/8 Crazy Toys Textile elective students have been busy making Pantry Chooks. These cute little chickens have cloves, rosemary and lavender from our own lavender farm mixed in with the stuffing to keep creepy crawlies out of your pantry. What fabulous fowl! |
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February 2024
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