Students from Camden Haven High School have participated independently at the Wingham Show on March 10, after the school halted extra-curricular agriculture culture activities.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Wednesday, February 21 the school’s principal Margaret Hutchinson penned a letter which outlined a recent Animal Welfare Health and Safety Review provided the school with a range of essential recommendations to ensure the delivery of agriculture subjects meets policy and best practice.
Mrs Hutchinson said the school is currently implementing audit recommendations with core curriculum resources as a priority.
“In the meantime, some extra-curricular activities have been put on hold,” she said.
Students have expressed their disappointment at not being able to compete under the school name.
“I was disappointed we could not represent Camden Haven High School and make everyone proud, but this situation won’t stop us from competing in shows and doing what we love,” Year 10 student Monica Murray said.
Year 12 student Anneliese Knaack said participation in the Wingham Show demonstrated how well the team of ‘independents worked together’.
On Saturday, March 10 six students qualified for the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.
School parent David Lee said this was a fantastic achievement as over the past 10 years four students have qualified.
Mr Lee said other schools that attended the show were supportive and even brought extra cattle to help the children.
Parents and children have also expressed disappointment the school was not honest about selling the team’s prize winning cattle.
Domonique Wyse is a Year 11 distance education student and was not officially told by the school that there was no more cattle team.
“The day the cattle got sold students from Camden Haven contacted me straight away and told me about the situation,” she said.
“Due to the cattle being sold, my education at both St Clare’s High School (Taree) and Camden Haven High School were affected considerably.
Domonique said her coordinator is concerned as she has paid the full school fee of $800 for the course and there has not been any reassurance the halting of agriculture won’t stop at the practical side.
As a member of the Camden Haven High School team Domonique said a lot of students formed close bonds with the cattle.
“These cattle aren’t treated as animals, but as another member of the cattle team family,” she said.
“When they were taken away every cattle team member was totally and utterly heart broken.”
Year 12 student Angela Lee said she feels betrayed by the school and principal.
“I’m utterly disappointed as this team has done so much for me and everyone involved,” she said.
“For me to not have that opportunity in my last year and others to not have that opportunity is absolutely devastating.”
Angela said she believes her studies and future career options have now been negatively impacted as a result of the cattle being sold.
“I do Primary Industries where one of our practical competencies for the HSC involves drenching and handling livestock and doing different things with them,” she said.
Angela said she has not received any reassurance on her concerns to complete the component.
Through competing at shows Angela said students are taught valuable factors about the industry and are given the opportunity to network.
“This leads to potential scouting and job offers and experience that cannot be found anywhere else,” she said.
Camden Haven High School principal Margaret Hutchinson said renovations at the agriculture plot are continuing and as a result extra curricular activities will not be run.
