Agriculture

The agriculture program at Coomandook is something that we as a school and our community value highly. All students from Reception to Ten have specialised Agriculture lessons with Year Eleven and Twelve students being able to study Agriculture through their SACE and as a VET subject here on site.

Our PRAC (Philip Roberts Agricultural Centre) contains industry standard infrastructure for a broad range of fields including the Breed Elite sheep management system and our pig eco shelter. We are also looking forward to the installation of new cattle yards including safe work zone and force yard. Students develop their skills in livestock management in facilities that prepare them directly for the professional workplace. The PRAC also includes four cropping paddocks where students use our GPS equipped tractor to implement their cropping program.

Our Primary Ag program includes students being involved with the Kitchen Garden Program, in-depth studies into different livestock areas and facilitating and running of their own agricultural enterprise through the garden and poultry program. Students in the Upper Primary Class have the opportunity to start working with the goats and other small animals in the PRAC in preparation for the Royal Adelaide Show program that commences in Year Seven.

Each year the Secondary Ag program focusses on a different aspect of Agriculture and Horticulture to prepare students to be able to choose their area of specialisation once they reach their SACE. Year Seven and Eight students Agriculture is based around establishing their own garden and being able to on sell produce and students in Year Nine compete to create the most successful Agriculture business in an area of their choosing. Year Seven and Eight students are also involved in the preparation of the goats and pigs for the Royal Adelaide Show and are invited to join the Goat Club to compete at the show. This prepares students for the livestock and animal handling focus of the Year Nine and Ten agriculture programs.

SACE Agriculture can be undertaken in many different ways at Coomandook. Students in Year Eleven and Twelve can be enrolled in SACE Agriculture and work with their teacher to choose what area they would like to focus on. If students would like they can choose to study Agriculture as a part of a Integrated Studies at Year Eleven and at Year Twelve, this enables students to still participate in studies of Agriculture but reduces the theory component required.

Along with SACE Agriculture students can participate in a VET course in Rural Operations here on site or Shearing School at a local farm. These can be undertaken as well as SACE Agriculture and, in some instances, can be begin in Year Ten. For more information on VET courses we offer at Coomandook please see the VET page.

The Coomandook Area School Show Team is a well-represented and respected team both within the school and the show community. Each year Coomandook takes approximately 50 students to the show as members of the show team. This experience teaches the students about the many facets of agriculture that they can be involved in, as well as developing transferable skills that will assist students into their future lives. Students have the opportunity to compete each year with Led Boer Goats, Schools Led Steer and Dairy Cattle. In addition to these programs we take into consideration students current interests and may also enter Schools Pig Handling, Marino Wether Sheep, Schools Layer Chickens and Junior Judges and handlers competitions across all livestock areas.

Our Royal Adelaide Show program is renowned within our community and beyond for the opportunities we provide to our students and the many accolades we have won including:

• • Champion Cereal Hay
  • Best Presented Goat Show Team
  • Champion Light Weight Steer on Hoof
  • Champion Heavy Weight Steer on Hoof
  • Reserve Grand Champion Steer on Hoof
  • Grand Champion Steer on Hoof
  • All Australian Calf (Dairy)
  • Honourable Mention Junior Champion Holstein