THE Henry Lawson High School at Grenfell is ramping things up this year, with a team destined for the Angus feature show at the Sydney Royal Easter Show next month.
Previously only being able to attend local shows, or students taking part in shows with different studs independently, the school has made a big move this year to prepare cattle on behalf of Jo-anne Southorn from Devanah Angus stud, Grenfell, and join the 60?-odd Angus exhibitors in a royal venture in the big smoke.
The now well-equipped group of HLHS students that have put in the hard yards over the past months since school returned for the year have been guided by a new agriculture teacher that offers fresh ideas and years of experience.
Annika Whale from Double A Cattle Company at Glen William, joined to Henry Lawson High School agriculture and science facilities following completing a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) through the Charles Sturt University of Wagga Wagga.
Growing up showing Murray Grey cattle through her family's involvement in managing the Glenliam Farm Murray Grey stud that recently dispersed, Ms Whale offers industry insight and understanding, and many accolades and personal achievements related to showing cattle and feeding and preparing show steers.
Ms Whale said she chose to pursue teaching as she saw a need for involved agriculture teachers that are dedicated and inspired to teaching students.
The Central West based HLHS is home to 180 students in total, of which roughly 35 have expressed interest in being part of the school's show team.
This new look to increase the school's agriculture and show teams is backed by growing support from the school's PC, principal and whole school behind it.
"Support is there for the whole community, and in particular the school and parents are behind it," Ms Whale said.
"The school will look at upgrading the infrastructure and buy the necessary equipment and feed the team will need."
Preparing and exhibiting Angus cattle on behalf of Ms Southorn and the Devanah Angus stud, the students at HLHS are excited to attend their first royal show.
"She (Ms Southorn) has been a strong supporter of the HLHS over the years allowing the students to attend local shows," Ms Whale said.
"Without us she (Ms Southorn) would not do it herself so through the showteam it is giving her the opportunity to take part in the feature, while providing opportunities to the school and the Grenfell community."
The HLHS team will exhibit an Angus steer in the hoof and hook section as well as one bull and two heifers that will all be juniors in the main Angus Feature Show.
On top of that they will also show two Murray Grey steers from Glenliam Farm Murray Greys, along with taking part in the 2019 Steggles Sydney Royal School Meat Bird Pairs Competition.
"By showing and taking part in all these different areas of the show, it will open up the opportunity for students to gain an insight of different industries they could pursue into the future as a career," Ms Whale said.
"It also provides the connections and networking skills many of the students will need going forward as they progress in industry and look into work experience or employment options."
The new show team and amped up agriculture program aims to allow students to develop personal skills related to public speaking, communication and self-management, responsbilities and organisation.
"We want to look at doing more junior shows and extend into more areas such meat judging or the Merino National School's Wether Challenge at Dubbo," Ms Whale said.
"There isn't much on offer for high schools within this area to do with meat judging, unless you travel to Wingham Beef Week or the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza which we aim to do.
"This will give the students an edge and look into the whole supply chain from on-farm production to carcase process and then assessment, and meeting market specifications."
Over the weekend, a group of 15 students from HLHS along with 10 head of cattle attended the Blayney Show where they were commended for their work ethic and professionalism.
Student Angus Kelly showed his expertise and abilities taking out grand champion parader of the show, a huge achievement considering the number of competitors and the depth of experience and skills they offered.
The students are looking forward to the future of the HLHS show team programs as they believe it is "applicable, useful and hands on practical", which many believe is important during learning as most are from properties within the area.
"What we are doing at the school within agriculture helps to support the kids that are not classroom learners. The ones that are more practical minded that want to get out and see or do what they are learning about," Ms Whale said.
