Department Newsletter
Autumn I 2024
ANIMAL CARE HORTICULTURE
Welcome
Greetings from the Animal Care & Horticulture Department here at Wakefield College
I am thrilled to welcome you to read our departmental newsletter, an exciting publication designed to keep you informed and engaged with the latest happenings, developments and opportunities in our amazing department.
As the head of the department, I am continually inspired by the passion and innovation that our students and staff bring to the world of animal care and horticulture. This newsletter is our way of sharing that inspiration with you.
In this edition, you can expect to find a wealth of information. We’ll bring you the latest news from our department, keeping you up-to-date with current industry trends and departmental achievements.
We believe in the power of real stories to inspire and guide. That’s why we will be featuring student case studies, showcasing the journeys, challenges, and successes of our students. These stories not only highlight the real-world application of our courses but also serve as a testament to the supportive and innovative environment that Wakefield College offers.
Amy O’Keefe Head of Animal Care
Animal Care students embark on Fiji trip with Think Pacific
20 students from the Animal Care and Travel & Tourism departments at Wakefield College joined together to embark on a once-in-alifetime trip to Fiji, hosted by Think Pacific.
Their exciting excursion began when the students and tutors departed on their flight to Fiji where they stayed on the tropical South Pacific Island for three weeks. The trip’s itinerary was specially tailored to the Wakefield College’s Animal Care and Travel & Tourism provision – with activities encompassing ecotourism, animal and wildlife care, sustainability and conservation.
During the eighteen days, students and staff from the College explored the magnificent landscapes of the island such as the Rainforest Park, the Sand Dunes National Park, tropical gardens, coral reefs and bush trails. They observed Fijian animals in their habitats, ranging from birds to reptiles and marine wildlife, as well as learning about the welfare and veterinary care they received from charities on the Island such as Animals Fiji.
Several organisations delivered specialist presentations and projects for the group including the Coral Coast Conservation Centre, teaching them about the historical development of tourism in Fiji and the range of conservation efforts practiced on the Island.
The Wakefield College students expressed their enthusiasm towards experiencing a new culture; some students have even conducted their own research into their destination in advance of the trip.
Based in Leeds, Think Pacific organise work experience for students in the South Pacific Islands. They currently offer award-winning volunteer placements in Bali and Fiji, hosting educational institutions from all over the world.
Think Pacific’s approach aims to be responsible and receptive to the indigenous communities, with locally led projects to educate students on traditions and cultures, facilitating a lifechanging and immersive learning experience.
The trip was fully funded for the students through the Turing Scheme – one of the UK Government’s initiatives to provide funding for international learning opportunities and global mobility projects for colleges and universities.
After developing a relationship with Think Pacific, the College decided to select one of their educational trips to enrich the students’ learning, which has all been made possible through the funding from the Turing Scheme. The trip showcased to the students the opportunities of eco-tourism, animal care and sustainability in Fiji. They learned how tourism impacts the iIsland, its people and its wildlife. The students also had some independence to explore the island and relax on rest days.”
- Henry Manwaring, Deputy Head of Curriculum (lead organiser of the trip)
Meet our newest additions to the Animal Care Department
Ziggy
Crested Gecko
• The species was re-discovered in 1994 after believed to have gone extinct
• They don’t have any eyelids
• Can be found in several different colour variations
Sisu
Baby Bearded Dragon
• LOVES to chase things
• Native to Australia
• Has a diet of live insects and vegetables
Zebadee
Argentine Black & White Tegu
• Fully harness trained and loves a good walk around the department
• Rare to find in captivity here in the UK
• Has a diet of mice, rats, chicks and fruit
Kraken & Mellow
Axolotl
• Native to Mexico
• Named after the Aztec god of fire and lightning
• Can regenerate lost limbs without scarring
Hear from our Students
Animal Care
Reece
I really enjoy handling the animals –particularly the reptiles as I’m really into snakes. I’ve been brought up around animals, so it allows me to develop my existing knowledge and prepare me for what I want to do in the future. After I’ve finished at Wakefield College, I would love to go onto university to study in equine and I think studying here is the perfect way to go about that.
Mackenzie
I’ve always loved animals and this programme can open a lot of doors for me in equine. I want to own my own rescue centre for horses and dogs in the future and this course will provide me with the knowledge and skills to do this.
Scott
I have learnt a lot about the animal care industry whilst studying and I have gained a lot of experience working with the animals in the animal care unit. As part of the course I spend one day a week at a work placement which I really enjoy.
Jason
I don’t particularly enjoy being in the classroom so this course was ideal for me. It can be a lot of hard work in the winter but it’s really good and you meet some great people.
Local farm visits the College
Swillington Strutt Farm, a Leeds based organic farm, brought along their mobile unit to the Animal Care Department to allow students to work with livestock as part of their assignments.
The students took part in a variety of activities and tutorials such as health checks, bottle feeding and learning handling techniques, all of which will go towards their coursework.
Animals approve of the Ofsted rating
In November last year, Wakefield College, part of the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, was praised by Ofsted for its ‘Strong’ contribution to meeting regional and national skills needs, with the Group receiving a ‘Good’ grade for every aspect and overall.
Animal Care residents Malcolm, the mischievous ferret, and Fruli the bearded dragon, received news of the grading and agreed to some press shots to showcase their pride in the College!
Dog Grooming Virtual Tour
Take a virtual tour of our state-of-the-art animal care facilities by scanning the QR Code
Horticulture students plant 450 trees in Batley
In December last year, our Horticulture students spent an entire day planting 450 trees with local charity, Open Country Yorkshire, to create a new woodland in Batley!
Horticulture Garden Tour Video
Tour our Horticulture Department and garden area at Thornes Park Nursery by scanning the QR Code
