The senior and junior awards at the inaugural Otago Southland Clash of the Colleges were claimed by the talented students of Otago Boys’ High School and Blue Mountain College, a testament to their dedication and hard work.
The Agri Futures Clash of the Colleges was created to inspire the next generation into Food and Fibre careers. Established by the New Zealand Rural Games Trust, the team delivers Clash of the College events in Auckland, Canterbury, and Manawatu, scholarships, and in-school modules that support the delivery of the Agriculture and Horticulture curriculum.
The Clash of the Colleges is a fast-paced, amazing race-style competition that offers students hands-on experience in various aspects of the rural sector. Students work in teams of four to complete 16 hands-on modules within one-and-a-half-hour. The modules are run by experts in their field, Otago University Agriculture and Telford SIT Agriculture students.
Agri Futures Daniel O’Regan said the competition included ATV wheel change, tree identification, attaching an insulator, break fencing, feeds and weeds, drenching, handpiece setup, wool identification through to gumboot throwing, sulky racing, on-farm recycling, CPR and more.
“It was fantastic to see students showcasing their skills, trying new things and meeting industry representatives. A key aim of the day is that they understand there is a wide range of work opportunities across the food and fibre sector.”
Senior:
- 1st Otago Boys High School: Dustin Young, Charlie Hore, Henry Chittock and Toby McLean
- 2nd Southland Boys’ High School – Oliver LeMon, Michael Crene, Jake Anderson and Fletcher Palary
- 3rd Taieri College: Archie Eaton, Elise Mathais, Cameron Ter Woorst and Samuel McLeod
Juniors:
- 1st: Blue Mountain College: Addie McHutchon, Anna Herriot, Jeremy Sanford and Angus Weir.
- 2nd: Maruawai College: Charlie Sprenger, Bryon McClintock, Tristan Nel and Jack Davidson.
Otago Southland Gumboot Throwing Champion was Manaia Tiller of Blue Mountain College.
This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of Telford – SIT, Gallaghers, Clutha Vets, CMC Recycling, Fencing Contractors Association NZ, Farm Source, Cocky, Environment Southland, Fonterra, Discovery Forestry, Girls Who Grow, Future Farmers, Advance Ag, Future Foresters, Otago University and St Johns Balclutha. Their contributions were instrumental in the success of the Clash of the Colleges.
Tangaroa Walker from Farm 4 Life, an agri-edutainment creator with a massive following of over 340,000, emceed the event.
Agri Futures also creates in-School Modules to support teachers and students studying agriculture and horticulture. These modules supplement the existing curriculum, providing additional resources and hands-on learning opportunities. Agri Futures also offers scholarships to support the next generation as they head into study after school. These scholarships are aimed at rural students looking to study food and fibre post-school and rural sporting athletes. Successful applications will be announced at the end of September.