Introduction
Do you have a child that lives and breathes Agriculture? If so, we would like to introduce them to the ‘Unity College Certificate of Agriculture’ program for Junior, Middle and Senior students. The certificate recognises students from Year 4 to Year 12 for their commitment to Agriculture both in and outside of school.
The ‘Unity College Certificate of Agriculture’ indicates that a student has a genuine interest in Agriculture and has been willing to participate in school and additional activities outside of school to develop their practical and theoretical skills. Students who are interested in pursuing a career in this industry can include the certificates on their resume and in their employment portfolios.
To receive a ‘Unity College Certificate of Agriculture’, students will need to have met the certificate’s requirements - outlined in this brochure. Students who have met the requirements of the
program will be presented with their certificate in the graduating year of their sub-school: Junior, Middle or Senior at their respective Graduation event.
Students must register to participate in the program by completing the registration form attached, returned via emailing ag@ unitycollege.sa.edu.au or delivering to the College via the Junior School Front Office, their Ag teacher or the Middle/Senior SSO.
Students who have registered will also subscribe to information on upcoming Agricultural events, courses, and competitions
which they can use to meet the requirements of their ‘Unity College Certificate of Agriculture.’ Students will only need to register once and will remain in the program throughout their schooling unless we are notified otherwise.
If you have any questions or comments about the program, please contact Unity Agriculture (ag@unitycollege.sa.edu.au) on 8532 0100.
We look forward to seeing your child’s passion for Agriculture grow!
Please Note: It is up to the student to be self-driven to meet the requirements for the certificate. The Unity Agriculture team will support students to achieve their certificate but will not be held accountable for ensuring students meet the criteria. Students are responsible for arranging entries and deliveries to local shows, events and competitions. It is important that they notify ag@unitycollege.sa.edu.au of what they are participating in so that it can be accurately recorded.
Certificate of Agriculture Outline
+ If your child hasn’t been a student at Unity College for the whole qualifying period (per sub-school) achieving the Certificate of Agriculture will be at the discretion of the Ag staff with this taken into consideration.
+ If you submit an entry or participate in anything Ag related it is important that you or a parent/caregiver notifies ag@unitycollege.sa.edu.au so that it can be accurately recorded.
JUNIOR SCHOOL
(YEARS 4 – 5)
To qualify for a Junior School ‘Unity Certificate of Agriculture’ students must be involved in:
At least three (3) school Agricultural related enterprises or out of school activities.
These activities are in addition to the Agriculture class on Junior School. Examples include:
+ Participation in an Agricultural event or activity at lunchtime or after school (eg. Chubby Chicken, JS Garden Club.
+ Involvement in an enterprise at home (eg. selling excess produce, raising livestock).
+ Selling produce, plants at school events (eg. Food Festival, JS Produce Market Stall).
+ Participation in a Junior Agricultural Event or Show (See list of examples on the following page).
AND at least one (1) of the following:
+ Participation or an exhibit in one of the local Agricultural Shows (at least 1 show in Year 4 or in Year 5) - see show list on the following page.
+ Presentation at a Junior School Assembly or to their Agriculture class highlighting their involvement in Agriculture either inside or outside of school.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
(YEARS 6-9)
To qualify for a Middle School ‘Unity Certificate of Agriculture’ students must:
+ Study Agriculture as a school subject at each year level (Agriculture will need to be studied in both semesters of Year 9 unless their Ag participation out of school goes above and beyond.)
AND at least two (2) of the following:
+ Participation in the Royal Adelaide Show (representing Unity College) or Unity College Agricultural Livestock Show during Middle School (at least 2).
+ Independent participation or exhibit in a local Agricultural Show during Middle School (at least 2 separate shows) - see show list on the following page.
+ Involvement in an Agricultural related enterprise at home (eg. selling excess produce, raising livestock).
+ Attendance and participation at an Agricultural related event or competition in student’s own time (eg. Ag Career or Industry Tour / SA Field Days - Sheep or Beef)
+ Participation in a Junior Agricultural Event or Show (See list of examples on the following page).
+ An Agriculture related short course ie. Animal First Aid, Shearing etc.
*Awarding certificates will be at the discretion of unity Ag staff prior to graduation.
SENIOR SCHOOL
(YEARS 10-12)
To qualify for a Senior School ‘Unity Certificate of Agriculture’ students must:
Study three (3) or more of the following:
+ Year 10 Agriculture
+ Certificate III Rural Operations or Agriculture related VET course (eg. Cert II Animal Studies).
+ SACE Stage 1 Agriculture
+ SACE Stage 2 Agriculture
AND at least three (3) of the following:
+ Participation in Royal Adelaide Show (representing Unity College) or Unity College Agricultural Livestock Show during Senior School (at least 2).
+ Independent participation or exhibit in a local Agricultural Show during Senior School (at least 2 separate shows) - see show list on the following page.
+ Involvement in an Agricultural related enterprise at home (eg. selling excess produce, raising livestock).
+ Attendance and participation at an Agricultural related event or competition in student’s own time (eg. Ag Career or Industry Tour / SA Field Days - Sheep or Beef)
+ Participation in a Junior Agricultural Event or Show (See examples on next page).
+ Completion of an Agriculture related short course ie. Chainsaw Operation, Welding, Handling Farm Chemicals, Operating Farm Machinery etc.
LOCAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW LIST
(LISTED IN ORDER THEY OCCUR)
+ Mannum Showwww.mannumshow.org/
+ Mt Pleasant Showwww.mtpleasantshow.com.au/
+ Keith and Tintinara Show www.keithshow.org.au
+ Murray Bridge Showwww.murraybridgeshow.com.au/ + Strathalbyn Showwww.strathalbynshow.com.au/ + Coonalpyn Showwww.coonalpynshow.info/
+ Callington Showhttp://show.callington.net.au/
*More information on the Shows can be obtained from the websites listed above or from the Agriculture Administration team. Entries into the show should be Agriculture related wherever possible (eg. farm drawings or photographs, exhibiting produce, cooking, showing livestock).
AGRICULTURAL SHOWS, CAMPS, COMPETITIONS AND EVENT EXAMPLES
+ Murray Bridge All Breeds Calf and Handlers Show (Dairy)
+ SA Sheep expo
+ SA All Breeds Dairy Youth Camp (Biannually)
+ SA Junior Heifer Show (Beef Cattle)
+ Shearing Courses
+ Stud and Livestock Sales
+ Field Days
+ Young Farmers Challenge
