Students keen on a career in agriculture and related industries learned all they needed to know about livestock, horticulture and modern farming at the WA College of Agriculture – Denmark’s annual Open Day.

Principal Kevin Osborne said this year’s Open Day, on September 2, was the most important day on the College’s calendar. “This is the day we open our doors to prospective students, parents, the local community and others who may have an interest in agricultural education,” Mr Osborne said. “For prospective students and their families we provide opportunities to see what college life is about, meet experienced staff, gain valuable information on study options and how to enrol.”

Families and members of the community at large toured the College facilities including the state of the art robotic dairy and the new indoor equine centre and surrounding farm, viewing a variety of hands-on activities providing a real feel for the programs available at the College.

Demonstrations included shearing and wool classing, equine events, cattle parades, metal and automotive, machinery and equipment exhibitions – all leading to the Grand Parade of livestock and machinery at the end of the day. Classroom displays included coursework projects and sales of horticultural produce and the ever popular wine tasting and sales from the College’s East River vineyard.

Pictured Below: (L-R) Dr. Sally Talbot, MLC, Principal Kevin Osborne and Pam Moss, Assistant Executive Director, Statewide Planning & Delivery, Department of Education

A comprehensive photo gallery can be viewed on the College Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/DenmarkAgCollege/

Dear Parent/Carer

Please see below the link to 2017 Parent Survey:

https://www.schoolsurvey.edu.au/s/Z8NUSSnR/LogIn

Getting constructive feedback from our parents is one of the most important ways we can continue to improve the College and deliver better outcomes for our students.  The results from the 2017 Parent Survey will be reviewed by College Staff and by the College Board as part of our annual self-review processes.  A copy of the Survey will also be published online early in 2018.

The survey will close on Friday November 17, 2017.

I thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey.

Regards

Kevin Osborne

Principal

The dairy industry is celebrating the success of top performing dairy farmers producing high quality milk while boosting their on-farm profitability.

The Australian Milk Quality Awards recognise farms that have achieved the best milk quality in Australia based on annual average bulk milk cell count (BMCC) across Australia’s milk processing companies.

Dairy Australia’s Kathryn Davis said the on-farm management of milk quality is key to ensuring the competitiveness of Australian dairy in the marketplace.

 Every year the Australian Milk Quality Awards celebrates the great job being done by dairy farmers up and down the country to keep milk quality at a consistently high standard (Ms Davis) 

“A low cell count is an indicator that mastitis is well controlled in the herd, improving milk production, cow health and welfare.  Farmers achieving a low cell count are also financially rewarded with a premium for their milk and significant cost savings on mastitis treatments and labour” said Ms Davis.

WA had 5 farms in the top 100 suppliers across the nation with the lowest aggregate BMCC:

• Matt and Angela Brett, Dardanup
• Luke and Vicki Fitzpatrick, Waroona
• Craig and John Foster, Wilyabrup
• WA College of Agriculture (Denmark)
• Ben and Caroline Letchford, Busselton

Further, there were 14 herds that were listed with bulk milk cell counts in the lowest 5% in Australia of which includes the WA College of Agriculture – Denmark.

College Principal, Kevin Osborne, said “This is a terrific recognition of the great work being undertaken in the College’s Robotic Dairy Enterprise with our Dairy Manager, Terry DeVos and Technical Officer – Agricultural Education, Patrick Swallow.”

Full Results: Dairy Australia

Further Contact: Kevin Osborne, Principal, 0428 480 204

The WA College of Denmark’s Business Plan 2017-2020 is developed in consultation with all College staff, the College Board and Agricultural Advisory Council. It aligns with the Department of Education Strategic Plan 2016-2019 High Performance, High Care and the Framework for Agricultural Education 2017. It also reflects and supports the following Department of Education policies and directions:

• Classroom First Strategy
• Focus 2017

The Business Plan reflects the tripartite nature of the WA College of Agriculture – Denmark: the school, on-the-job workplace training on the College farm and the residential component. The School self-assessment is an integral part of maintaining and improving the performance of the College. Our 3-year Business Plan is data driven and guided by our self-review cycle. The 3-year Business Plan is then translated into Operational Plans which are monitored and reviewed each semester.

Download: 2017 – 2020 Business Plan

For over 75 years the WA College of Agriculture – Denmark has provided a caring and learning environment to nurture excellence and innovation in agricultural education.

The Annual Report 2016 provides parents and those with an interest in the College, information about the highlights and operations of the College for the year ending 31 December 2016.

Annual Report 2016

As there are limited places at the College and very strong demand, particularly for residential places, it is recommended that prospective students apply no later than 1st Term in the year proceeding potential enrolment. However, applications remain open and families are encouraged to apply at any time.

Enrolment Process

·         Expression of Interest Form. To be completed by prospective student

·         Application Form. To be completed by Parent/Guardian

·         Return both forms along with 2 semester reports and NAPLAN results if possible.

·         Once this information has been received the College will contact the Parent/Guardian to arrange a prospective student interview.

Expression of Interest forms can be found on the website. These can be lodged at any time and will be held by the College until the year proceeding potential enrolment, when the College will contact families to arrange prospective student interviews.

Not all of our students are residential. About 20% of students also attend the College as day students, including many travelling from Albany each day on the Loves Bus service.

Younger students who may be interested in attending the College in the future are also encouraged to attend our Open Day which is held in September on the Father’s Day weekend. This year Open Day is scheduled for 2 September 2017.

Whilst the College sits just outside of the Department of Education Bushfire Zone (Register) it is committed to maximising the safety of its students and staff. The WA College of Agriculture-Denmark has a comprehensive Fire Action Plan advising of what action may be taken in case of a fire emergency.

What does this mean for you and our school? Read on…

Whilst the WA College of Agriculture-Denmark sits outside of the Department of Education Bushfire Zone Register we are committed to maximising the safety of our students and staff.

What does this mean for the College?

When we are made aware of a fire danger or issued a warning by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) that a fire emergency has been declared, the Principal of the College will advise Parents/Carers of any pre-emptive action that is to be taken, which may include closure of the College until the fire risk has passed.

Depending on the level of risk Parents/Carers  will be advised by:

· Our SMS messaging service

· By letter sent home with your child

· Contact by telephone where other means to contact you may fail. (So please ensure the school has up to date contact details for you.)

· A notice on the College Facebook page

· A notice on the College Website

If we have to close the College

Any decision to pre-emptively close the College will be made by the Principal no later than 4.30pm on the day before the planned closure. If the forecast changes after that deadline, the closure will stand, regardless of improvements to the weather conditions later in the afternoon of the day before the planned closure or overnight. This will limit confusion or uncertainty for parents and to allow you ample time to make alternative child care arrangements. Parents will be advised of any confirmation of closure, or its reversal, by the above communication methods.

If the College is closed—How will I know when it is reopening?

You will receive an SMS to advise you whether the school will reopen the day after the planned closure, or whether it will remain closed. The College website and Facebook page will also contain a notice to advise you of the current status of the school closure and when it is expected to reopen.

In case of fire emergency in the area, we ask parents/carers to monitor local media for current information about fire danger ratings. Staying tuned to ABC Local Radio in your locality is advisable. You can also check with DFES on 13 DFES (13 33 37) or www.dfes.wa.gov.au

Alternatively you can call me on 0428 480 204 if any of the options listed above for finding out when to send your child back to school will prove problematic.

Questions?

Please contact the school on 9848 0200 if you have any questions about planned closures during the bushfire season.

Kevin Osborne

Principal

Newly enrolled students arrived at the College on Monday 30 January to a comprehensive orientation program in preparation for residency and College life.

For many, this is the first time away from family and friends so it is important to provide a program that helps with the transition from local schooling and living at home, to College life and providing a sound foundation for future learning.

The program provides guidance and equips students for their “first day” and is important in helping to remove any initial feelings of anxiety by delivering activities that foster friendships and allows new students to become familiar with the College and its surrounds. The program also includes outdoor activities such as the fabulous “Wild Over Walpole” Eco-cruise and Tree Top Walk.

It’s just a glimpse into their future at the College, but one that they can fully enjoy. We welcome you one and all.

Follow us on the College Facebook page for gallery of photos  http://www.facebook.com/DenmarkAgCollege/

As announced at this year’s Graduation Ceremony, after twelve years as the WA College of Agriculture-Denmark Principal, Kevin Beal will retire at the end of this year.

Kevin has led the College through a significant period of growth and improvement during his principalship.  Student enrolments have almost doubled over the past decade. The  introduction of an Equine program and an ATAR pathway has seen our girl numbers increase from about 20% of the cohort to almost 50% this year.  In fact next year it seems we will have slightly more girls than boys in the College residence.  A new Automotive Trade Training Centre and a state-of-the-art Robotic Dairy are just two examples of important additions to the College’s training facilities that Kevin has overseen. Kevin leaves the College in a position of strength and new growth as it moves to Independent Public School status.

Congratulations to Mr. Kevin Osborne who has been appointed as the incoming Principal and who will take the College into its new role as an Independent Public School. Mr. Steve Swallow, Head of Studies will take up Acting Deputy Principal.

A group of Year 10 students from the WA College of Agriculture-Denmark decided to engage with a somewhat delicate topic when seeking to raise funds for a charity as part of a humanities and social science project. They chose “Angel Gowns” a nationally registered Charity that provides services to bereaved families who have experienced the stillbirth or death of a baby.

The charity uses donated wedding dresses to hand craft “Angel Gown” garments which are then donated to hospitals, funeral homes and directly to families. Janine Meyn, from the Angel Gown program in Perth, travelled down from Perth to receive a cheque for $1,000 from Lilly Le Sueur , who led the project with her classmates.

Janine said she was ‘blown away’ by the generosity of the donation and was so very pleased that the students had chosen Angel Gowns as their cause. “It is a very sensitive subject and one that is not easy to discuss”, said Janine as she addressed the Year 10 group.

The students raised funds by operating a face painting stand at the College’s Open Day as well as running a coffee stall and receiving donations through the gold coin donation lunch. The students said wanting to help others was behind their motivation to raise funds and to help to make a difference.