Pupils eager to learn during farm visits

Matthew Gale and Mackenzie Little (both 5) try out an ATV for size when St Brigid's School pupils...
Matthew Gale and Mackenzie Little (both 5) try out an ATV for size when St Brigid's School pupils visited farms on the Taieri last week. Picture supplied.
Last week, just over 100 pupils from St Brigid's School in Dunedin made the most of a rare opportunity to gain a little insight into farming life.

Deputy principal Trish Rogers said pupils at the school had been studying farming this term and were delighted when Maungatua farmer John McIntyre offered to arrange a visit to farms on the Taieri.

Mrs Rogers said it was the first time in her recollection that the whole school had gone on a farm visit.

She said teachers had been amazed by how much even the youngest pupils "picked up" about the whole process of farming.

Last year the school visited the Sinclair Wetlands, where Mr McIntyre is manager, and he had kept in contact with the school - at one time bringing his sheep dog in to meet the pupils, Mrs Rogers said.

Several farmers and contractors arranged various activities and displays for the school pupils to see last week.

At Colin and Sheryll Duncan's property pupils watched while dogs rounded up sheep and merino sheep were shorn.

For city children, just getting to "feel the wool" was an experience, Mrs Rogers said.

There were various pieces of farm machinery on display, including tractors, and pupils were able to look and ask questions.

The pupils had lunch in the hay barn - another special experience for many, Mrs Rogers said.

Later in the day they visited Philip and Heather Wilson's dairy farm where the children fed calves and were shown how cows were milked.

It was good for them to see milk did not come from the supermarket, Mrs Rogers said.

Pupils took the opportunity to quiz the farm owner about all kinds of things, and older pupils, in particular, were interested in finding out what happened to waste on farms.

St Brigid's was an Enviroschool, Mrs Rogers said.

 

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