by Lauren Morley, Year 13 Student, Kaipara College
When I transitioned from primary school to high school, I remember thinking two things: one - if there is no playground, where will I spend my lunchtimes? And two - what do you mean there is no Ag Day? Going to a small rural primary school, Ag day was one of my favourite days of the year. While I personally never had the opportunity to raise a lamb, kid or calf, I always loved seeing my friends and classmates so passionately participating in the rural lifestyle which is so important to our community. Being part of a rural community is an integral part of Kaipara College, and thanks to one of our year 13 students, James Shaw, on Friday the 15th of September, Kaipara college hosted their first ever Ag Day. With an early end to the school day, our Ag Day began at 2pm for Kaipara College students, and opened to our whanau and the community from 3pm until 6pm.
Like any good Ag Day, we had stalls which provided entertainment, activities, food and drink, as well as the most important part, the animals! Students were invited to bring along their farm animals which saw sheep and cows enjoying the delicious Kaipara College lawns, as well as a pen full of kids (goats, not children of course) who were busy munching on hay. We had a sausage sizzle, lollies and drinks, sherbert, a cake stall, waffles with icecream as well as many terrific local vendors such as T-Dog’s Master Spit, Oh Crumbs, Hungarian Twister and Mama’s Donuts. Up in the school hall, there was wool spinning, handcrafted earrings for sale and a clothing drive which students had been donating clothing to throughout the last term of school.
One highlight of this event would have to be a visit from our local MP Chris Penk, who spent his short visit talking to our students and teachers, and of course stopping to take a selfie with ‘Tennessee’ the sheep.
All in all, Kaipara College’s first ever Ag Day was a huge success, and on behalf of all Kaipara College students, I would like to first thank anyone and everyone in the community who came down and supported our school, as well as the amazing vendors who helped bring our Ag Day together. Thank you to all of the students and teachers who took the time to organise and facilitate the wonderful activities, and of course to our very own James Shaw who planned and executed our first ever Kaipara College Ag Day. That’s one down, and hopefully many more to come!
Goats at Kaipara College Ag Day
